She’s Done. He’s Breaking novel Chapter 34

**Chapter 34**

As Stella approached Annabeth’s ward, a serene calm enveloped her. The sterile scent of antiseptic mixed with the faint hum of hospital machinery created an oddly comforting atmosphere.

“You’re here, Stelle! You really didn’t need to bring fruits,” Annabeth greeted her, a hint of surprise lacing her voice.

With a gentle smile, Stella set the basket of fruits down on the small coffee table, her gaze drifting to the IV bag that hung beside Annabeth’s bed, still half-full and steadily dripping its contents. “Are they planning to swap this out for a new one once it’s empty?” she inquired, her brow slightly furrowed with concern.

“This is the last bit,” Annabeth replied, her voice steady but tinged with exhaustion.

Stella couldn’t help but scold her gently. “You really need to cut back on drinking like that from now on. It’s not worth the trouble it brings.”

Annabeth chuckled softly, a smile breaking through her fatigue. “I was in such a terrible mood! I just had to let it out somehow. Next time, I promise I’ll be more careful.”

At that moment, the door swung open, and Hayden stepped into the ward just as the IV bag emptied with a soft beep, signaling the end of its duty.

When lunchtime rolled around, the trio decided to venture to a nearby restaurant, drawn by the promise of light, non-greasy dishes that would be easy on Annabeth’s stomach.

As they settled at a cozy table, Stella shared an amusing encounter she had experienced earlier that day. “You won’t believe it—I ran into Kieran on campus!”

Hayden nodded knowingly. “Mr. Fulton often makes his rounds at the university. He mentioned that just seeing the young students makes him feel younger himself,” he explained with a hint of admiration.

Annabeth’s eyes widened in surprise. “You know Mr. Fulton, Stelle? I had no idea!”

Kieran had retired less than two years after he finished teaching Hayden, a fact that added weight to Stella’s connection with him.

“Yes, Kieran always had high praise for Stelle’s abilities when she was my student. Even after his retirement, he took the time to teach her personally and invited her to numerous academic seminars to broaden her horizons,” Hayden elaborated, pride evident in his tone.

He had often spoken of Stella’s brilliance to Annabeth, detailing her double degree in mathematics and finance, and her impressive track record of winning international mathematics competitions during her school years. Yet, he had never revealed the surprising detail that Kieran had personally mentored her.

“You must have been incredibly talented for Mr. Fulton to take such an interest in you, Stelle,” Annabeth remarked, her admiration palpable.

Kieran was notorious for his rigorous standards, known for failing students who couldn’t meet his high expectations. His pupils were exceptional, but they often endured years of his stringent tutelage before they could even dream of graduating under his watchful eye.

Annabeth scoffed, rolling her eyes. “No, thank you.”

Stella couldn’t help but chuckle at their lighthearted banter, the familiar warmth of friendship wrapping around her like a comforting blanket.

Once they were settled in the car, Daniel drove them toward the yoga studio.

“You know, Stelle, once you shed some weight and your nose shrinks after giving birth, you’ll be a real beauty,” Annabeth remarked, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “I bet you’ll dazzle someone with your stunning looks then.”

Stella instinctively reached up to touch her nose, a remnant of her once graceful features. She recalled a vivid memory from her freshman year of high school, a crisp fall day when a photographer captured her profile beneath the vibrant maple trees. The image had gone viral, drawing attention from all corners, even leading an agent to approach her for a spot in the entertainment industry.

But that chapter had ended abruptly when Gary had served a lawyer’s letter to the photographer, resulting in the swift removal of her image from the internet. Stella had never had any desire to enter the glitzy world of showbiz, and soon, the frenzy faded, leaving her with only fleeting glances from curious onlookers at school. It was during that time that Theodore had stepped in, playing the role of her knight in shining armor.

However, as the years passed and illness took its toll, Stella’s nose had grown larger, altering her once admired beauty. Even after undergoing cosmetic surgery before joining Aspica Capital, her features had still been affected by the changes brought on by pregnancy.

With a soft smile, Stella turned to Annabeth, her voice filled with hope. “We’ll see what happens after I give birth.”