She’s Done. He’s Breaking novel Chapter 9

**Chapter 9**

Stella lay curled on her side, enveloped in the soft sheets of her bed, one hand resting gently over her lower belly. The rhythmic movements of her baby inside her began to soothe her frayed nerves, a small reminder of the life she was nurturing. Yet, even as she sought comfort in that fluttering, Max’s harsh words echoed relentlessly in her mind. The thought that Tristan harbored such animosity towards her unborn child was a bitter pill to swallow.

She knew that while Eloise had a soft spot for this baby, the moment Audrey delivered the true heir of the Somerton family, her own child’s place would be in jeopardy. The realization sent a shiver down her spine, and she quickly forced herself to push those thoughts away. The mere idea of abandoning her child to a family that had never wished for her existence was unbearable. No, she would not allow that to happen. She would take her baby with her, no matter the cost.

Just then, a sharp knock at the door jolted her from her reverie. With a sigh, Stella swung her legs over the edge of the bed and padded to the door, only to be met by Lily’s cold, disdainful gaze.

“Mr. Somerton wants to see you,” Lily announced, her tone dripping with contempt.

As Stella stepped into the living room, the sight of Tristan seated on the sofa, his demeanor somber and rigid, tightened her chest. She had convinced herself she was prepared for this confrontation, but the moment their eyes met, the weight of his presence bore down on her, filling her with an overwhelming dread.

Her heart raced as she faltered in her steps, unable to meet his gaze. She halted a few feet away from him, waiting for the reprimand she anticipated, but instead, he spoke with an icy detachment. “You can sleep after you finish all of these documents.”

With that, he turned and strode toward the dining room, leaving her to confront the imposing stack of papers on the coffee table. A wave of frustration washed over her; it was clear he intended to rob her of any chance of rest that night.

Not only did he disregard her as a pregnant woman, but he treated her with a blatant lack of humanity. It was evident: he truly despised her.

Stella’s fists clenched at her sides, and she pivoted sharply to face his retreating form, her voice rising with newfound defiance. “I already turned in my resignation letter. I quit.”

Tristan paused, turning slightly to cast her a frosty glance that sent a chill through her.

Gathering her resolve, she met his cold stare head-on. “I won’t repeat myself.”

Without missing a beat, Tristan turned to Lily, issuing a command that sent a shiver of dread through Stella. “Go lock her bedroom door.”

The smug look on Lily’s face was unmistakable as she replied, “I’ll do it right away.” With that, she hurried off, leaving Stella frozen in place, her heart pounding in her chest. The darkness of despair began to envelop her, making it difficult to breathe.

Tears began to slip down her cheeks, despite her efforts to hold them back. Tristan watched her, his expression devoid of any warmth, as if her pain was of no consequence to him at all.

As he walked away, Stella felt a wave of humiliation wash over her, as if she were a mere clown in a tragic performance. A surge of emotions swelled within her, and in a moment of rebellion, she snatched the documents from the coffee table and hurled them into the trash can. Cradling her belly, she made for the door, determined to leave this nightmare behind.

Tristan halted, his expression darkening further at her defiance.

Stepping out of the villa, Stella was immediately assailed by a biting gust of cold air. She hadn’t thought to grab a coat, and the chill made her shiver uncontrollably. She realized with a sinking feeling that her phone and car keys were still inside her room, a detail that suddenly felt like a cruel twist of fate.

As she glanced back at the villa, the wind whipped away the tears that clung to her lashes. Wrapping her arms around herself, she turned away, her eyes stinging, and began to walk down the long driveway. There was no way she was going back.

Dressed in thin clothing, she made her way under the flickering streetlights, each step a reminder of the baby she carried. Cars passed by, slowing down as the occupants stole glances at her.

In this upscale neighborhood, where only eighteen villas stood, each belonging to the elite, Stella was a familiar figure. They all knew her story, the whispers of her marriage to the flawless Tristan echoing through the circles of high society.

To be paired with someone like her was a disgrace in their eyes, and it was no surprise that Tristan rarely came home. Her disheveled state elicited no sympathy, only judgment.

As she continued her walk, she paused frequently, the hunger gnawing at her stomach compounded by the cold. After what felt like an eternity, she finally reached the main gate of the neighborhood.

Just as she was about to step outside, the security guard stepped forward, blocking her path. “Ms. Roberts, Mr. Somerton asked that you return home.”

Stella froze, her heart sinking. She knew Tristan’s request wasn’t born out of concern for her well-being.

“I’m not going back,” she stated firmly, clutching her belly as she tried to sidestep him.

The guard stood his ground. “We can’t let you leave, Ms. Roberts. You’re pregnant, and it’s freezing out here. If anything were to happen, we would be held responsible. Please, go back.”

Frustration bubbled inside her as she looked up at him, exhaling a cloud of warm air in the frigid night. “Could you lend me your phone so I can make one call?”

“I’m sorry, Ms. Roberts,” the guard replied, his expression sympathetic but resolute.

Stella stood there, the discomfort in her stomach intensifying, her resolve wavering.

Then, a car horn blared behind her, making her spin around instinctively. In the driver’s seat was Justin Porter, and a rush of relief flooded through her, as if he were a beacon of hope. Supporting her belly, she limped toward the car, the pain in her knee from her earlier fall flaring up with the cold wind.

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