She’s Done. He’s Breaking novel Chapter 3

**TITLE: She’s Done. He’s Breaking 3**
**Chapter 3**

“That was a reminder, not an invitation for your opinion,” Tristan stated, his voice icy and devoid of warmth.

Stella, feeling the weight of his words, kept her gaze fixed on the table, her silence a shield against the biting chill of his demeanor.

Tristan’s eyes narrowed as he observed the dullness in her expression, a stark contrast to the vibrant woman he once knew. The corners of his mouth tightened into a grim line as he made a swift decision. “Lily and Freya are no longer to attend to you. From this moment on, you will manage your own affairs.”

Stella’s fingers gripped her fork with increased intensity, the metal digging into her palm as she fought to contain her rising emotions.

After breakfast, Tristan departed, leaving a suffocating silence in his wake. Stella gathered her things and made her way to Afferson University, her heart heavy but determined. She headed directly to Hayden’s office, seeking solace in familiar surroundings.

As she entered, she found a young man seated behind the desk, impeccably dressed in a tailored suit that accentuated his sharp features. His rimless glasses perched delicately on his nose, lending him an air of sophistication that belied his youth. At just 29, Hayden had already established himself as the youngest full-time professor in the finance department, a prodigy whose brilliance was lauded in academic circles.

With a gentle knock, Stella announced her presence.

Hayden looked up, momentarily taken aback. The woman standing in the doorway was unrecognizable to him at first. It was only when Stella uttered his name that he regained his composure.

“Professor Jenkins.”

His surprise faded as he smoothed his expression, masking his astonishment with professionalism. “Come in.”

Stella stepped inside, removing her mask of uncertainty. “It’s been a while, Professor Jenkins.”

A warm smile broke across Hayden’s face. “Indeed, it has. I almost didn’t recognize you.”

Stella’s lips curled into a faint, self-deprecating smile. “I barely had the courage to come and see you looking like this.”

Hayden rose from his chair and walked around the desk, his demeanor reassuring. “It’s completely normal for your body to change during pregnancy. You’ll bounce back after the baby arrives.”

He gestured toward the couch. “Please, have a seat.”

Stella sank into the cushions, feeling the weight of her worries momentarily lift.

Hayden poured her a cup of warm water, his gestures thoughtful. “Here, warm yourself up.”

She accepted the cup gratefully. “Thank you.”

His gaze flickered to her rounded belly, a brief moment of concern crossing his features. “How far along are you?”

“Thirty weeks,” Stella replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

Hayden nodded, his brow furrowing slightly. “By the time the spring semester starts in mid-January, you’ll be right at your due date.”

Stella leaned forward, urgency creeping into her tone. “I wanted to ask for your help. Is it possible for me to defer my admission?”

The reality of childbirth loomed over her, unavoidable, yet she was desperate to hold onto this opportunity.

Hayden’s expression turned serious, his eyes searching hers. “Why are you so intent on attending Brookfield University?”

Stella’s gaze dropped to the floor, shame and sorrow flooding her heart. “Tristan plans to divorce me once the baby is born. I have no desire to prolong this miserable marriage. I want to start over.”

Seven months felt like an eternity, a stretch of time filled with heartache and regret.

Hayden frowned, the transformation in Stella evident. The once vibrant woman had been dimmed by the burdens she carried, and it pained him to see her this way.

“I’m glad you’ve come to your senses and are ready to pull yourself back together. You and Tristan were never meant to be. One day, you’ll meet someone who truly loves you,” he said, his voice soft yet firm.

Stella nodded, the flicker of hope igniting within her.

Hayden had always been wary of her decision to become Tristan’s assistant. She had insisted, and in doing so, had invited chaos into her life.

Suddenly, curiosity bubbled to the surface. “Professor Jenkins, what kind of person do you think Tristan really is?”

The following morning, she prepared her resignation letter, her heart pounding with a mix of fear and liberation.

Tristan oversaw the entire financial division of Somerton Corporation, managing everything from banks to investment funds. In a cutthroat world filled with betrayal and ambition, he had successfully commandeered the corporation’s core industries and continued to expand them. This was a testament not only to his brilliant mind and remarkable skills but also to his cold, unyielding heart.

As Stella arrived at the company, she caught sight of Tristan stepping out of his car, a striking figure clad in tailored perfection. He exuded a quiet, masculine confidence that drew the eyes of everyone around him. His wealth and power only amplified his allure.

“Mr. Somerton,” the employees greeted him with respect as he passed.

Snapping back to reality, Stella lowered her gaze and stepped aside, feeling invisible in his presence.

Tristan walked past her as if she were a mere shadow, a ghost of the past.

With a steady hand, Stella handed her resignation letter to Sheila Bond, Tristan’s secretary. Once, Sheila had reported to Stella, but the tables had turned dramatically.

Back then, the office had been abuzz with shock when Stella, a fresh graduate from Afferson University, had been abruptly demoted from her position as executive assistant. That role required more than just skill; it demanded a certain appearance.

Stella, with her plain looks and average figure, had somehow been chosen, a testament to her capabilities that transcended the superficial. Even the stern Tristan had once acknowledged her talents.

Yet Sheila viewed her through a different lens.

To Sheila, Stella was nothing but a shameless social climber, a woman hoping to sleep her way to the top. No matter her talents, she was merely trash in Sheila’s eyes.

Perhaps that was why Tristan harbored such disdain for Stella.

Sheila glanced at the resignation letter, then let her gaze drift to Stella’s pregnant belly, a mocking smile creeping onto her lips.

“People ought to know their place. Take a good look in the mirror. Just because you’re pregnant doesn’t mean you can latch onto the Somertons. You should understand exactly what kind of people the Somertons are, and what you are in comparison.”

No one at the company knew that Stella and Tristan were already legally married.