She’s Done. He’s Breaking novel Chapter 42

**Chapter 42**

“Grandpa!” A sweet, melodic voice suddenly rang out, breaking the tranquil air of the garden.

Noelle, dressed in an adorable pink jacket, adorned with a whimsical hat featuring floppy rabbit ears, appeared like a little sprite as she dashed toward Arthur and Tristan. The ears bobbed playfully with each enthusiastic step she took, making her resemble a lively rabbit on a joyful adventure.

Behind her, her nanny hurriedly followed, her eyes wide with concern. “Please slow down, Ms. Fulton,” she urged, her tone a mix of caution and affection.

In an instant, Arthur was on the move, his heart swelling with fondness as he rushed to meet Noelle. He bent down, and with a gentle swoop, he lifted her into his arms. “Oh, my precious Noelle! You must be careful now. What if you stumble and hurt yourself?” he cautioned, his voice laced with genuine worry.

Noelle, with her tiny arms wrapped snugly around Arthur’s neck, planted a sweet kiss on his cheek, her lips soft and warm.

Arthur beamed, his smile so wide it crinkled the corners of his eyes, revealing the laughter lines that spoke of countless joyful moments. Unable to resist the urge, he affectionately patted Noelle’s fluffy head and said, “Now, be sure to say hello to Uncle Tristan.”

“Hello, Uncle Tristan!” Noelle chimed, her voice sweet as honey as she turned her gaze toward him.

Tristan’s heart melted at the sight. He looked at her with a gentle warmth, extending his hands toward her. “Would you like me to carry you, little one?” he asked, his voice soft and inviting.

With a bright smile, Noelle reached out for him, allowing Tristan to lift her into his arms. His eyes sparkled with adoration as he held her close, feeling a sense of joy that only a child could bring.

“Is Great-grandpa still upset?” Arthur inquired, his tone shifting to one of curiosity.

Noelle shook her head vigorously, her pigtails bouncing. “No! I made a cake for Great-grandpa. He was really happy with it!” she declared, her eyes shining with pride.

Arthur chuckled, his heart warming at her innocent enthusiasm. “Of course he was! You know he loves you the most, Noelle.”

As the sun climbed higher in the sky, casting a golden hue over the garden, Tristan and Arthur joined Noelle in playful antics. They watched as she chased butterflies flitting around the blooming bushes, her tiny fingers delicately pinching their wings. She would whisper sweet nothings to them before setting them free, her laughter ringing like chimes in the gentle breeze.

“You know, once your little sibling arrives, Noelle will have a new friend to play with,” Arthur remarked, a smile playing on his lips.

Tristan glanced down at Noelle, her joy infectious. “Yes, she certainly will,” he agreed, his heart swelling with the thought of family.

As lunchtime approached, Arthur invited Tristan to join them for a meal, but Tristan politely declined, knowing Kieran likely preferred to avoid him for the time being.

“Who knows where she sourced those ingredients? How dare she cram the fridge with her stuff? The meat she brought might not even meet our standards!” Freya added, her tone sharp and accusatory.

“We only did what we did for the sake of the unborn child! Not only did she fail to grasp our intentions, but she even laid a hand on me!” Lily fumed, her anger palpable.

Around 5:00 PM, Layla had entered the kitchen, intending to prepare dinner for Stella. It was then that she discovered her carefully selected ingredients were missing. The poultry and vegetables, sourced from her family’s farm, had been raised with love and care.

Initially, Layla tried to suppress her irritation, approaching Lily and Freya with a polite inquiry about the missing items. However, they feigned ignorance, pretending not to hear her questions.

Frustration bubbling over, Layla seized the items they were clutching and threw them to the ground, a decisive action that sent shockwaves through the kitchen.

Lily and Freya, enraged by her defiance, retaliated with a flurry of insults, aiming to humiliate Layla. The commotion drew Stella into the kitchen, her heart racing as she anticipated another scheme against her and Layla. But she was taken aback to see them discarding Layla’s precious ingredients.

Without a second thought, Stella slapped Lily hard across the face, her anger boiling over. The force of the action surprised even her, and a sharp pain twisted in her stomach.

In the aftermath, Layla rushed Stella to the hospital, leaving a stunned Lily and Freya behind, their plans unraveling in the wake of chaos.