This Time, She Walked Away First

The Rohan estate stayed lit all night.

Lena sat frozen on the couch, nails digging so deep into her palms they drew blood. She didn't feel a thing. Just stared at the clock as it crawled from midnight to seven a.m.

The second it chimed, hurried footsteps echoed outside.

Andrew stormed in, eyes blazing with pure rage. A chill ran down Lena's spine.

He took a whip from a servant and stepped toward her, slow and deliberate.

"Lena Clermont, do you realize Nicole and the baby almost died?"

Baby?

Nicole was pregnant?

Shock crashed over her—but then, clarity.

Right. In her past life, she'd been the one pregnant at this exact moment.

But this time, she'd been the one to shove Nicole into Andrew's arms.

So of course, now it was Nicole carrying his child.

No time to dwell on it.

Andrew stood there, ready to use his so-called "disciplinary punishment" just to vent Nicole's anger. Lena's eyes burned red as she fought to explain.

"I didn't touch the dress. I never tried to hurt her. From the kidnapping to the letters at the banquet, and now this—don't you think it's all TOO much of a coincidence? If I was really framing her, would I succeed EVERY time?"

She thought Andrew, always cautious, would at least start connecting the dots.

But he was too far gone, his voice ice-cold.

"So what, you're saying Nicole set you up? I love her. I'm marrying her. Why would she even bother?"

That was exactly what Lena couldn't understand. "I don't kn—"

A sharp cry tore from her lips.

The whip had already struck.

"Lena, you're truly beyond saving."

Her face drained of color. A bitter smile tugged at her lips.

Of course. Nicole was the one he'd always protect. So why had she even dared to hope he'd believe her?

She wanted to run, but the bodyguards were faster. They shoved her to the ground.

Another lash cut through the air.

Andrew's voice was ice. "Do you admit your guilt?"

Pain ripped through her, but she clenched her hands tight, refusing to make a sound.

Andrew's expression darkened at her defiance. The whip cracked down again, this time across her back.

"I'll ask one more time—do you admit it?"

Lena lay there, lips sealed. She hadn't done anything wrong. Why should she confess?

Andrew's patience snapped. The whip lashed her over and over.

Skin split. Blood seeped through her clothes. Still, she didn't break.

In the end, it was Jeffrey, the butler, who stepped in, grabbing Andrew's wrist. "Sir, if this continues, she won't survive..."

Only then did Andrew stop. He tossed the whip aside, his face cold.

"Lena Clermont, don't let there be a next time."

Her head slumped forward.

Unconscious.

***

For days, Andrew didn't come home.

Meanwhile, Lena was stuck in bed, too wrecked by pain to move. It took days before she could finally stand again.

The moment she was back on her feet, her phone rang—immigration office. Her permanent residency was approved.

That was it. No more reason to stay.

She packed up the last of her stuff, suitcase in hand, ready to go.

But the second she stepped outside, she crashed straight into Andrew.

Before she could react, his voice cut like ice.

"Lena, how old are you? Still pulling this runaway act?" His expression darkened. "I've told you over and over—quit your obsession with me. But you don't listen, and you keep hurting Nicole. Am I wrong for punishing you?"

Lena was too drained to care. How many times had she said it? She didn't love him anymore. Why wouldn't he believe her?

Andrew sighed, rubbing his temple, clearly annoyed. "Fine. Go clear your head. Nicole's pregnancy is unstable, and I'm busy with the wedding. If you stay, who knows what you'll try to pull."

Then, without waiting for a response, he grabbed her suitcase.

"I'll take you to the airport myself."

Lena didn't argue. Didn't explain. She just followed.

The car tore down the road in silence. Neither of them spoke.

At the airport, Lena reached for her luggage, ready to go.

That's when Andrew finally asked, "Where's your ticket to?"

Before she could answer, his voice iced over again. "Stay close. Don't go too far. Once Nicole and I are married, I'll come get you."

Lena didn't argue. Didn't react. Just nodded. "I understand."

She grabbed her suitcase and walked inside.

Only when Andrew's car vanished into traffic did she pull out her phone and quietly block his number.

Come get her back?

No need, Andrew.

She was never coming back.