She’s Done. He’s Breaking novel Chapter 2

**TITLE: She’s Done. He’s Breaking 2**
**Chapter 2**

Stella replied without hesitation, “It’s a girl.”

Tristan’s face remained an unreadable mask, a cool façade that concealed whatever thoughts churned beneath the surface.

“Once the baby is born, we’ll get a divorce,” he stated, his voice devoid of warmth.

The moment those words left his lips, Stella felt her fingers tighten into fists, her heart twisting painfully as if being torn apart. She had anticipated the end of their marriage for a long time, yet hearing him articulate that finality pierced her more deeply than she had expected.

She bit her lip, fighting back the swell of emotions, and managed to say, “Fine.”

A flicker of surprise flashed in Tristan’s eyes at her immediate acceptance, but he chose not to delve deeper into the matter.

Stella pressed on, “Tomorrow is Monday. Do you have time in the afternoon? We could submit the paperwork at the courthouse then. Two months in advance shouldn’t be an issue, right?”

With the impending arrival of their child, they needed to act swiftly. After signing the divorce agreement, they would still face a one-month cooling-off period, and Stella’s due date loomed closer with each passing day.

Tristan regarded her with his usual calm demeanor, though she sensed a hint of scrutiny in his gaze. He turned away, his voice steady as he replied, “We’ll do it when I say it’s time.”

Stella lowered her gaze, suppressing her thoughts, unwilling to push him further.

—

The car rolled to a stop at the Somerton residence. Eloise had indeed summoned them, eager to celebrate the news of the baby.

The Somerton family was predominantly male, with only a handful of daughters mingling among them.

Eloise had two sons: Zack Somerton, her eldest, and Harry Somerton, her youngest. Zack had two sons of his own. His elder, Todd Somerton, had married a few years back and was now the proud father of rambunctious five-year-old twins. The younger, Theodore Somerton, was 24 and still single.

In contrast, Tristan was Harry’s only son, the weight of family expectations resting heavily on his shoulders.

The news of Stella’s impending baby girl brought a bright sparkle to both Eloise and David’s faces, their joy palpable.

“It truly is wonderful news,” Eloise exclaimed, her voice brimming with excitement. “With the little one on the way, the old man’s health has taken a turn for the better.”

As Eloise’s enthusiasm filled the room, Tristan’s mother, Yelena Walters, offered a few polite words to Stella, her demeanor cool yet courteous.

Stella remained seated, quietly acknowledging their presence, her heart heavy with unspoken thoughts.

Yelena, while finding Stella’s plump figure and submissive nature less than appealing, held her tongue, respecting Eloise’s evident delight in the news.

In a moment of generosity, Eloise presented Stella with a stunning emerald bracelet, a gesture that left Stella momentarily speechless.

She instinctively tried to decline.

Yelena interjected, “It’s from Mom. Just take it.”

With a small, grateful smile, Stella accepted the bracelet. “Thank you, Mrs. Somerton Senior.”

Eloise’s voice was warm as she added, “Take care of yourself and ensure you have a healthy, chubby baby.”

Stella nodded politely, fully aware that Eloise’s kindness was not solely for her benefit.

Originally, she and Tristan were supposed to stay for dinner at the Somerton residence. However, Tristan received a phone call that evening, and a hint of warmth broke through his otherwise cold demeanor.

“Coco,” he said softly, a name that hinted at a pet shared with someone else.

Stella couldn’t help but think that if he had chosen the right partner, he might have turned out to be a genuinely caring father.

“Alright, I’ll be right there,” he said, ending the call with a definitive click.

As Tristan turned toward the balcony and stepped back inside, he caught sight of Stella standing there, momentarily frozen in surprise. She quickly regained her composure, looking up at him. His expression remained as icy and unreadable as ever.

Feeling a tightening in her chest, she hurriedly said, “Mrs. Somerton Senior wants you in the study.”

Tristan said nothing in response and walked away, leaving Stella rooted to the spot, a sharp ache gripping her heart. She remained there, lost in her thoughts, until she finally managed to pull herself together.

Meanwhile, as Tristan entered the study, he found Eloise and David already present.

“Tristan,” Eloise began, her tone earnest. “I know you don’t have fond feelings for Stella, but with the baby arriving soon, we need to think about the future. She’s intelligent, well-educated from a prestigious university, and has a gentle nature. Your marriage needs stability, and she is precisely the type of woman who can manage a household and raise a child properly.”

Tristan remained silent, though the deep frown etched on his face revealed his irritation.

Eloise quickly recognized that Stella’s modest appearance made her seem mismatched beside Tristan’s commanding presence.

David, ever the voice of reason, said calmly, “This isn’t the time for drastic changes. Even if you don’t care for her, as long as she behaves, it’s better to let things be for a year or two.”

Eloise nodded in agreement. “Everyone is watching you, waiting for you to slip up. Let her focus on raising the child first. If she has to leave later, it will be much simpler.”

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