She’s Done. He’s Breaking novel Chapter 32

**Chapter 32**

Eloise’s visit was brief, almost fleeting. However, before she departed, she made a point to speak with Stella once more. Her voice was firm yet gentle as she expressed her desire for Stella to remain in Sentella Bay. “You’re married now, Stella,” she said, her eyes locking onto Stella’s with an intensity that made the message clear. “It’s time you stopped running back to your parents’ home every chance you get.”

With that, Tristan retreated upstairs to the study, leaving Stella to navigate her own thoughts. She made her way back to her room, the silence enveloping her like a thick blanket. Sitting on the couch, she reached for her phone and dialed Layla, her heart racing slightly as she waited for the call to connect.

“Stelle! When are you coming back today?” Layla’s cheerful voice broke through, but there was an undercurrent of concern that Stella could easily detect.

“I have to stay here for now, Layla,” Stella replied, her tone heavy with resignation.

A moment of silence stretched between them before Layla responded, her surprise evident. “Why? What’s going on?”

“Mrs. Somerton Senior wants me to stay here and take good care of the baby,” Stella explained, her heart sinking at the thought of being tethered to the villa for an indefinite period.

Understanding dawned on Layla, and the conversation shifted. “Are you still going to the yoga studio today?” she asked, trying to lighten the mood.

“Yes. I’ve already set an appointment from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm,” Stella replied, her mind already racing ahead to the soothing stretches and meditative practices that awaited her.

“Alright then. Do you want to head over early? I can bring dinner for you,” Layla suggested, her voice warm and inviting.

“Sounds good,” Stella answered, relief washing over her as she hung up.

She glanced at the clock on the wall; it was ticking away the minutes, and she realized she had just enough time for a quick nap before she needed to leave. As she settled down, her mind drifted, thoughts swirling around the day’s events.

When she finally woke, the sun had dipped lower in the sky, casting a golden hue across her room. She quickly packed her belongings, her heart racing with anticipation as she prepared to leave the villa.

As fate would have it, she ran into Tristan just as he was descending the stairs, his expression unreadable. She looked at him, her voice steady despite the tension in the air. “Are you going out?”

“What is it?” Tristan responded coolly, his indifference cutting through the air like a knife.

Stella considered their words. There was no reason to reject the offer; after all, the driver would only be assisting her for a couple of months. “Alright then. Offer a higher salary. Make sure to hire someone dependable,” she instructed, feeling a flicker of relief at the idea of not having to drive herself.

By the time Stella returned to the villa, the clock had struck 9:00 pm. Tristan had yet to come back, leaving the atmosphere in the house charged with an unspoken tension.

Lily and Freya were there, their expressions revealing their displeasure at her presence, but they didn’t treat her as flippantly as before. Instead, they prepared some chicken soup and brought it to her room, a small gesture of care that warmed her heart.

After taking a refreshing shower, Stella lay on her bed, cradling the prenatal education materials she had gathered. She began to read a story to her baby, her voice soft and soothing, occasionally speaking directly to her little one. The thought that her time to connect in this way was limited made her heart ache.

Whenever she thought about leaving her baby behind with the Somertons, an uncomfortable throb echoed through her chest. It was as if her baby could sense her emotions, responding with gentle kicks whenever Stella’s feelings surged.

As time passed, Stella settled down to rest, feeling a sense of calm wash over her. Her condition had been stable lately, allowing her to drift into a deep sleep. Despite her growing belly, her baby was mature and well-behaved, never stirring her awake at night. It filled Stella with hope that she would grow to be a wonderful child.

Tristan’s absence that night was a stark reminder of the rift that had formed between them. He still found it impossible to share the same space as her, but Stella had reached a point where his indifference no longer affected her. She was done waiting for him to come around; she was ready to embrace whatever came next.