She’s Done. He’s Breaking novel Chapter 14

**Chapter 14**

The following day, Layla decided to accompany Stella to the yoga studio, a gesture of support that Stella appreciated, albeit with a heavy heart.

As she approached the studio, a wave of reluctance washed over her. The memory of her unexpected encounter with Audrey the day before loomed large in her mind. The mere thought of running into the woman who had taken her husband stirred a mix of anger and anxiety within her. How had it come to this? Audrey was the other woman, yet here she was, the one feeling like a coward, too afraid to confront her. The label of “mistress” felt too harsh, too definitive—Stella couldn’t bring herself to utter it.

Despite her apprehensions, Stella had already paid for her classes, and there was no turning back now. To her relief, the morning session passed without incident, and by the time the final pose was struck, the clock had crept into the afternoon.

Layla had prepared a thoughtful lunch for her—braised brisket, tender broccoli, and a medley of leafy greens. The vibrant colors and rich aromas filled the air, and as Stella took her first bite, she felt a warmth swell in her chest. It was more than just food; it was a reminder that she was cared for, cherished even.

After their meal, they wandered through the mall, their footsteps echoing in the spacious corridors. They passed by racks of clothing, but Stella found herself disinterested in shopping for herself. Instead, she felt a surge of generosity and picked out two sets of winter attire for Layla, as well as gifts for Gary and Jonathan.

Just as they were about to head back, Stella’s phone buzzed insistently in her pocket. It was Theodore, Tristan’s cousin. He was twenty-four, just like her, and their lives had been intertwined since childhood.

Memories flooded back to her—how they had shared classrooms from middle school through high school, until her world tilted on its axis during her second year when illness struck. A year away from school had altered her life drastically; she returned with an extra thirty pounds, and the whispers that followed her were cruel. The once-admired girl had become the subject of ridicule, labeled as the “pig of the school.”

Stella had felt crushed under the weight of those words. There was a time she contemplated dropping out altogether, but Theodore had stepped in, defending her honor fiercely. He had confronted the bully with a wrath that sent the boy to the hospital, and from that point on, the gossip faded into the background.

Every day after classes, Theodore would linger by her classroom door, his presence a protective shield against the harshness of high school life. He hailed from a prominent family, handsome and intelligent, a combination that made him untouchable in the eyes of their peers. Even the teachers seemed to tread lightly around him, eager to maintain his favor.

During those dark days, Theodore’s tough love had been a lifeline. “Don’t you like my cousin?” he would often remind her. “If you don’t hit the books and get into a good university, he won’t look twice at a girl who’s let herself go.”

Stella had fallen for Tristan at first sight during her freshman year when he returned to their school as a benefactor. Presenting him with flowers had felt like a dream; he was like a god among men, and she had been utterly smitten.

Theodore had noticed her infatuation and teased her mercilessly about it. Knowing that Tristan was his cousin, she had tried to win Theodore over, treating him to meals, movies, and small gifts in hopes of garnering his favor.

Driven by Theodore’s words, she had thrown herself back into her studies, determined to reclaim her place among her peers. Meanwhile, Theodore struggled with his own academic pursuits, ultimately repeating a year. Yet, when the college entrance exams rolled around, Stella emerged as the top scorer in the city, while Theodore secured second place.

They both ended up at the same university, albeit in different faculties. However, their paths diverged further when Theodore went abroad to pursue his studies. Their communication dwindled, but they maintained a connection through sporadic phone calls.

Theodore returned to the country last year, opting not to join his family’s business but to establish his own gaming company, which was thriving.

Stella answered the call, her voice steady.

“Hey! Stella, it’s an emergency!” His familiar, playful tone cut through the air, a stark contrast to the seriousness of his words.

“What’s going on?” Stella inquired, her curiosity piqued.

Theodore explained that he was in the midst of negotiating a partnership with a development company from Grendale. Unfortunately, his translator had encountered an unexpected issue, and he urgently needed her assistance.

Without hesitation, Stella agreed to help, and Theodore was quick to arrive at her location to pick her up. Layla, who had been waiting with Stella, knew Theodore well. He had dined at their home during high school, and she had always thought of them as a good match. But life had taken a different turn, and now Stella was bound to his cousin, albeit in name only.

“I can’t believe it’s been so long since I last saw Theodore,” Layla remarked, a hint of nostalgia in her voice. “I wonder how he’s changed.”

Theodore drove with urgency, cutting what should have been a forty-minute journey down to twenty. He arrived looking sharp in a tailored suit and tie, exuding a maturity that contrasted with the youthful charm that still lingered in his demeanor. Standing at six feet tall, he was strikingly handsome, an undeniable presence that turned heads.

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