At 30 weeks pregnant, Stella Roberts caught her husband, Tristan Somerton, cheating at the hospital.

Clad in a black coat, the tall and striking Tristan held the fragile, radiant woman in a white fur coat close. Her features were perfectly doll-like, and her rosy cheeks were visible beneath her soft wool scarf.

Stella clenched her prenatal test slip until her fingers turned white. The cold wind bit at her cheeks, but the sharper chill came from the stab of her own heart.

From a distance, Tristan saw her, yet he showed no trace of guilt. His expression was calm and indifferent as he personally opened the car door for the woman.

She seemed to notice Stella. She froze, glancing at her with curiosity before turning to Tristan and asking, "Who's that old lady staring at you, Tris? Do you know her?"

The wind howled past Stella's ears.

She didn't catch the woman's words, but she could read her lips and recognized the words "old lady".

It had to be her.

Stella let out a bitter laugh. She was only 24, but everything about her made her seem decades older—her plain features, her slightly heavy build lost in a puffy black coat and knit hat, the cumbersome weight of late-term pregnancy, and the deep weariness etched on her face.

She could never compare to the young, radiant woman before her.

Tristan helped the woman into the car.

Stella stood frozen, watching the car disappear.

She and Tristan had married because she got pregnant. To a man like Tristan, this forced marriage was a stain on his perfect life. The baby in Stella's womb was nothing more than a tool to compel him.

He despised Stella.

She had adored him for eight years. Deep down, she had known she didn't deserve him. All she could do was strive relentlessly and study hard, treating him as a model for her own life. Finally, she had succeeded, becoming his assistant and standing close to him.

That night had destroyed everything. Not only did it ruin Tristan's image in her mind, but it also mercilessly shattered every ounce of pride and dignity she had held in his presence.

She would never forget the disgust in his eyes afterward, as if she were something vile he had touched. Only a woman as young and beautiful as the one from earlier could ever deserve him.

A hot tear slipped from Stella's eye, and a sharp pain shot through her abdomen. She hurriedly cradled her belly, bracing herself against a nearby stone pillar.

A nurse passing by saw her and rushed over, leading Stella to a consultation room. It turned out the stress had affected the baby.

Once Stella calmed down, she left the hospital, dragging her exhausted body to the car and driving back to Tristan's villa at Sentella Bay.

Tristan's grandmother, Eloise Brown, had arranged for experienced housekeepers from the Somerton residence to take care of Stella.

At that moment, the two housekeepers, Lily Landon and Freya Ford, were lounging in the warm, well-heated living room. They were enjoying their food, chatting and laughing, when they heard a sound at the door.

They turned toward the entrance and saw that Stella had returned.

One of them rose, stepping forward with an air of contempt. "How did the prenatal checkup go?"

Though she was supposed to be looking after Stella, she acted more like a spy monitoring the lady of the house.

Stella merely cast a cold, indifferent glance at her and ignored her, heading straight for the stairs.

The housekeeper frowned in irritation. "I'm talking to you."

Stella ignored her again.

The housekeeper glared at Stella as she walked off and muttered with disgust, "She looks like a fat pig. Does she really think she's Mrs. Somerton? What a joke."

Stella went into her bedroom and sat on the bed's edge, feeling adrift and hollow. She had never been accepted by Tristan or the Somertons.

Eloise had insisted on their marriage, but it was only because Tristan's grandfather, David Somerton, was gravely ill and Stella happened to be pregnant. They had arranged the marriage in hopes of bringing David joy and celebrating two blessings at once.

Whether by coincidence or because it truly had lifted David's spirits, his health gradually improved. Only then did Eloise's attitude toward Stella soften. However, the rest of the Somertons remained openly disdainful.

Stella had gone to the hospital that day to determine the sex of her baby. It was a girl. Eloise had likely already received word from the hospital.

Just then, Stella's phone buzzed. She shook off her thoughts and reached into her bag. Yet when she saw the incoming call, she paused. It was her mentor, Hayden Jenkins.

"Professor Jenkins," she greeted him as soon as the call connected.

"There's an opening for doctoral studies at Brookfield University. Would you like to try?" Hayden asked.

Stella froze, stunned by the offer.

Hayden sensed her hesitation and added, "You don't have to—"

"I'll go," Stella responded immediately.

For a moment, Hayden said nothing. He understood better than anyone how much effort Stella had poured into getting close to Tristan. With her goal finally realized, there was no way she would walk away.

He had considered it carefully, and after much thought, he was certain she was the only one truly qualified for the spot.

"Professor Jenkins," Stella said again.

"Come to my office tomorrow morning at ten," Hayden instructed.

"Sure," Stella agreed.

He hung up without another word.

Stella set the phone down and exhaled deeply. A strange sense of clarity washed over her, as if the clouds had parted to reveal the moon. She needed to face reality. A man who didn't love her would never be bound by the baby she carried.

Soon after, she received another call. It was from Eloise, summoning her to the Somerton residence. Stella agreed, thinking it was likely about her unborn daughter.

She finally felt a spark of energy.

First, she headed to the bathroom for a long, hot shower.

At the vanity, Stella gazed at her reflection. Her swollen, round face was framed by dark circles and hollowed eyes, while scattered spots marred her cheeks. The toll of exhaustion was unmistakable, and she barely looked like herself anymore.

Who could blame anyone for recoiling from her? How could she ever measure up to someone as exceptional as Tristan?

She applied her makeup carefully, slipped into a pink down jacket, and placed a white wool hat atop her head. The small changes made her look much more put together.

She had originally planned to drive to the Somerton residence herself, but as she stepped out, her phone rang.

Tristan's calm, indifferent voice came through. "Come out."

Stella froze for a moment. Eloise must have summoned him to the Somerton residence as well.

"Alright," she replied softly.

When she left the villa, she saw his Rolls-Royce parked at the gate—the same car another woman had been in two hours ago.

She drew a deep breath, stepped forward, and opened the car door.

A faint, sweet, girlish scent of perfume drifted from the seat. On the dashboard sat a small pink teddy bear—it clearly belonged to the young woman who had been there earlier.

Stella's gaze flicked to Tristan's wrist, which had a hair tie looped around it. She knew it was the woman's subtle way of staking her claim on him. Tristan must care for her deeply.

Suppressing the bitter ache in her chest, Stella slid into the seat and buckled her seatbelt.

The driver started the car, and they pulled away smoothly.

She gazed out the window silently.

In the past, she had treasured any moment alone with him. She would seize the chance to draw close to him, even if he looked at her with utter disdain. She would have filled the silence with endless chatter, hoping to catch a sliver of his attention.

She once believed that if she just played her part as a devoted wife and mother, perhaps one day Tristan would notice her.

She had only been deceiving herself.

Tristan had never cared about her feelings.

His voice remained cold and detached as he asked, "What's the baby's gender?"

Stella answered promptly, "It's a girl."

Tristan's expression remained unreadable.

"Once the baby is born, we'll get a divorce," he said coldly.

As soon as he said those words, Stella's fingers clenched tightly. Her heart felt as if it were being wrenched in two, and her breath caught painfully in her chest. She had long expected that this marriage would never last, but hearing him say it aloud still cut sharply.

She bit her lip and said, "Fine."

A flicker of surprise crossed Tristan's eyes at her swift acquiescence, but he didn't probe further.

Stella continued, "Tomorrow is Monday. Do you have time in the afternoon? We could go ahead and submit the paperwork at the courthouse. Two months in advance shouldn't matter, right?"

After they signed the divorce agreement, there would still be a one-month cooling-off period, and Stella's due date was approaching.

Tristan regarded her, looking calm and composed as usual, though a hint of scrutiny flickered in his eyes. He looked away and said, "We'll do it when I say it's time."

Stella lowered her eyes and said nothing further.

…

The car pulled over at the Somerton residence. Eloise had indeed called them over because of the baby.

The Somertons were a family of mostly sons, with few daughters.

Eloise had two sons—Zack Somerton, her eldest, and Harry Somerton, her youngest.

Zack had two sons of his own. His elder son, Todd Somerton, had married a few years ago and fathered five-year-old twin boys. His younger son, Theodore Somerton, was 24 and unmarried.

Meanwhile, Tristan was Harry's only son.

Knowing Stella was expecting a baby girl, both Eloise and David were overjoyed.

"It really is wonderful news," Eloise said. "Now that the little one is coming, the old man's health has improved."

Seeing how much Eloise valued the baby, Tristan's mother, Yelena Walters, offered a few polite words to Stella.

Stella remained seated quietly, acknowledging them obediently.

Though Yelena found Stella's plump figure and submissive demeanor unpleasant, she refrained from showing her disdain out of respect for Eloise.

Eloise was in a good mood and presented Stella with a valuable emerald bracelet. Stunned, Stella tried to refuse.

Yelena interjected, "It's from Mom. Take it."

Stella gave in, accepting the bracelet with a small smile. "Thank you, Mrs. Somerton Senior."

Eloise said, "Take care of yourself and have a healthy, chubby baby."

Stella nodded politely, knowing full well that Eloise's kindness was not for her sake alone.

Originally, she and Tristan were to stay at the Somerton residence for dinner. Yet, Tristan received a phone call that evening.

A hint of warmth broke through Tristan's cold expression. It appeared he and that young woman shared a pet.

"Coco," he said gently.

If he had married the right woman, he might have turned out to be a truly caring father.

"Alright, I'll be right there," he said before ending the call.

As Tristan turned on the balcony and stepped back inside, he saw Stella standing there. Startled, she froze for a moment, then looked up at him. His expression was icy and unreadable.

Her chest tightened, and she hurriedly said, "Mrs. Somerton Senior wants you in the study."

Tristan said nothing and strode away.

A sharp ache gripped Stella's chest, leaving her rooted to the spot. She didn't know how long she remained there before she finally managed to collect herself.

Meanwhile, when Tristan entered the study, Eloise and David were already there.

"Tristan," Eloise began. "I know you don't like Stella, but the baby will be born soon. She's intelligent, well-educated from a prestigious university, and gentle by nature. Your marriage needs stability, and she is precisely the type of woman who can manage a household and raise a child properly."

Tristan remained silent, though the deep frown on his face betrayed his irritation.

Eloise realized right away that Stella's modest appearance made her seem mismatched beside Tristan.

David said calmly, "This isn't the time to make any big changes. Even if you don't care for her, as long as she doesn't do anything out of line, it's better to just let things be for a year or two."

Eloise nodded. "Everyone is watching you, waiting for you to slip up. Let her focus on raising the child first. If she has to leave later, it will be much simpler."

Tristan remained silent for a few moments, his deep, calm features betraying nothing. Finally, he said, "I understand, Grandpa, Grandma."

…

When Stella saw Eloise again, the older woman turned to her and said, "Tristan has urgent matters to deal with at the company and had to leave. I'll have the driver take you home later."

Stella nodded. "Alright."

Before Stella left, Eloise offered her some advice. "Even though you're pregnant, you must stay active and take care of yourself. When Yelena was expecting, she attended social events with Harry while managing the household. Some things come easily, but keeping them long-term is never simple."

Stella understood immediately. Being a daughter-in-law in the Somerton family was no easy task. If she wanted to secure her place, she needed to make some changes. In her current state, she was only bringing shame to Tristan.

She had tried once—exercising, doing yoga, and dieting—but her determination faltered. Exhaustion and self-doubt left her heavier and more defeated.

Eloise was right. She couldn't stay down like this. It wasn't for anyone else, but for herself and her future.

"I understand, Mrs. Somerton Senior," Stella said.

…

When night fell, Stella was surprised to see Tristan, the same man who had brought up divorce that morning, return home.

"You—" she began.

"Make me some tea and bring it to my study," Tristan said without looking up.

Then he went upstairs. Stella snapped out of it. She headed into the kitchen to brew some tea before carrying it up to the study for him.

Tristan was focused on the documents on his desk. His features were sharp and distant, exuding a cold, aloof air, as though he were completely out of reach. She set the tea down without a word and quietly left the study.

Even though he was home, they still slept in separate rooms. Tristan took the master bedroom upstairs, while Stella stayed in the guest room on the first floor.

Since Tristan was home the next morning, the housekeepers had laid out a full breakfast. He sat at the head of the table but noticed Stella was nowhere in sight.

Normally, she would have been there, ironing his clothes for the day and preparing breakfast herself, fulfilling all the duties of a perfect wife.

But this morning, his clothes were untouched, and breakfast had been made by the housekeepers.

"Where is she?" Tristan asked impatiently.

Lily didn't hold back and complained, "She stayed in bed all morning and refused to get up. We have to take her meals to her room every day, and she barely speaks to us.

"When we ask her what she wants, she won't answer. We're not her servants. She's only pregnant. When your mother was pregnant with you, she handled everything flawlessly, but this one acts like it's a free pass to relax."

Tristan frowned. "Go wake her up."

"Yes, Mr. Somerton."

Stella had been quietly waiting for Tristan to leave when Lily barged in and saw her sitting on the sofa.

Lily scoffed. "Well, if it isn't Mrs. Somerton. Were you expecting someone to wait on you?"

Stella looked up calmly. "I'm not. Are you?"

Over the past few months, Stella had kept her head down. Lily had never expected her to talk back.

"If you treat me like that again, don't be surprised if I tell Mrs. Somerton Senior everything you've been up to," Stella said.

Since she was getting divorced, she had nothing to lose. She wasn't going to let anyone push her around during these last two months.

Lily's eyes widened. Yelena had reminded her to be careful and look after Stella well. Even though Stella was expecting a girl, the baby was the only daughter in three generations of the Somerton family. That alone made her lucky, and Eloise had taken a special interest in her pregnancy.

Lily suppressed her irritation. At last, she said, "Mr. Somerton is waiting for you in the dining room."

That took Stella by surprise. When she walked into the dining room, Tristan was already eating. He looked up as she approached. Her white knitted dress stretched across her swollen frame, and her large belly made each step unsteady.

Tristan frowned.

Feeling his gaze, Stella sat as far from him as she could.

Tristan calmly said, "Lily and the others work at the Somerton residence. You can't have them attend to your every whim. You're only pregnant. It's not like you can't move."

For Tristan, the baby was likely inconsequential. His lecture indicated Lily had been complaining, though it certainly wasn't the first time.

"If they won't attend to me, they can return to the Somerton residence. I can take care of myself," Stella said, quietly stirring her bowl of oatmeal.

She handled her meals, did her laundry, and cleaned her room alone, while the housekeepers only pretended to help when Tristan was nearby.

The crease between Tristan's brows told Stella all she needed to know. He demanded control in every aspect of life and wouldn't tolerate anyone going against him.

"That was a reminder, not an invitation for your opinion," Tristan said coldly.

Stella kept her head down and stayed quiet.

Tristan looked at the dull, lifeless expression on her face, and his own darkened even further. Then he ordered Lily and Freya not to wait on her anymore. From now on, she was to handle her own affairs.

Stella's grip on her fork tightened.

After breakfast, Tristan left. Meanwhile, Stella went to Afferson University and headed straight to Hayden's office.

A young man sat behind the desk, dressed neatly in a tailored suit with rimless glasses tracing the line of his sharp nose. His composed demeanor gave him an air of maturity that belied his age.

At only 29, Hayden was the youngest full-time professor in the university's department of finance and a prodigy widely recognized in the financial world.

She raised her hand and knocked on the door.

Hayden looked up. For a moment, he froze, not recognizing the woman in the doorway. It was only when Stella spoke that his expression shifted.

"Professor Jenkins."

He smoothed his expression almost instantly, hiding his surprise. "Come in."

Stella removed her mask and stepped into the office. "It's been a while, Professor Jenkins."

Hayden smiled gently. "It has. I almost didn't recognize you."

Stella gave a faint, self-mocking smile. "I barely had the courage to come and see you looking like this."

Hayden stood and walked around the desk. "It's normal for your body to change during pregnancy. You'll recover after you give birth."

He gestured toward the couch. "Have a seat."

Stella sank onto the cushions.

Hayden poured her a cup of warm water. "Here. Warm yourself up."

She accepted it. "Thank you."

His gaze swept over her rounded belly briefly. "How far along are you?"

Stella replied, "30 weeks."

Hayden nodded. "By the time the spring semester starts in mid-January, you'll be right at your due date."

Stella leaned forward slightly. "I wanted to ask for your help. Is it possible for me to defer my admission?"

Childbirth was something she couldn't avoid, but she truly didn't want to lose this opportunity.

Hayden's expression grew serious. "Why do you want to go to Brookfield University?"

Stella lowered her eyes. "Tristan plans to divorce me once the baby is born. I have no desire to drag this miserable marriage out any longer. I want to start over."

Seven months was neither long nor short, but to her, it felt like an entire lifetime.

Hayden frowned slightly. The once bright and cheerful Stella had changed so drastically in such a short time. It was clear how much she had endured.

"I'm glad you've come to your senses and are ready to pull yourself back together again. You and Tristan never suited each other. One day, you'll meet someone who truly loves you."

Stella nodded.

Hayden had opposed her decision to become Tristan's assistant back then. Yet she insisted and brought disaster upon herself.

Suddenly, she asked, "Professor Jenkins, what kind of person do you think Tristan really is?"

Hayden fell silent for a moment before he answered, "He's someone who will sacrifice anything to achieve his goals—someone who puts profit above all else. A man like that rarely possesses the capacity for love."

"Is that so?"

Yet the tenderness Tristan showed that other woman couldn't have been an illusion. A man only lowered his pride like that when he was hopelessly in love.

Only beautiful, flawless women were worthy of him.

Stella didn't press Hayden any further.

"Since you've already made up your mind, I can help you apply for deferred admission when the time comes."

"Thank you, Professor Jenkins."

Hayden handed her an application form, and Stella filled it out quickly.

"Are you planning to leave the baby with the Somertons after she's born?" he asked suddenly.

Stella gave a tired, helpless smile. Even if she wanted to take the baby with her, it would be impossible. All she could do was feel sorry for her baby.

"The Somertons will take good care of her."

Hayden let the subject drop. "I happen to need an assistant for about a month. Do you want to give it a try?"

Stella agreed without a moment's hesitation.

"Alright."

Ever since she became pregnant, Tristan had reassigned her to an insignificant position in the secretarial department. She went from being an executive assistant to a barely noticed staff member overnight. All her years of work were wiped out in a single stroke.

She truly needed a new job—something to shift her attention away from the wreckage and help her start rebuilding her life. It would also prepare her for her future studies.

Since she had already taken the day off, Stella stayed on campus and began working as Hayden's assistant. She had been his mentee before, and after working under Tristan at such an intense, demanding pace for so long, even months of burnout couldn't erase her skills. She picked things up quickly and handled everything with practiced ease.

For a brief moment, Stella felt like she had found herself again. She felt her sense of self-worth returning. Just as Hayden had said, she was meant to shine in her career. Love should never have been the center of her life.

…

That night, Tristan didn't go home. He only bothered to show up once in a while, and Stella was past the point of caring.

The next morning, she prepared her resignation letter.

Tristan oversaw Somerton Corporation's entire financial division, from the banks to the investment funds. In a world filled with backstabbing and bloodshed, he had managed to take over the corporation's core industries and continue expanding them. It proved he had not only a brilliant mind and remarkable skills but also a cold, unwavering heart.

When Stella arrived at the company, she happened to see Tristan stepping out of his car.

He was tall and dressed impeccably, radiating a quiet, masculine confidence. His wealth and power only made him seem more captivating.

"Mr. Somerton."

The employees greeted him respectfully as he passed.

Snapping out of her daze, Stella lowered her head and stepped back.

Tristan walked right past her as if she didn't exist.

Stella handed her resignation to Sheila Bond, Tristan's secretary. She had once reported to Stella, but now the tables had turned.

Back then, everyone had been shocked when Stella was abruptly demoted. She was just a fresh graduate from Afferson University when she landed the position of executive assistant. That job required more than just abilities—one's appearance mattered too.

Stella had plain looks and an average figure, yet she had been chosen anyway. That alone proved her capabilities far outweighed anything superficial. Even the stern Tristan had once praised her.

However, Sheila saw her differently.

To Sheila, Stella was nothing more than a shameless social climber, a woman hoping to sleep her way to the top. No matter how capable she was, she was trash in Sheila's eyes.

Maybe that was why Tristan despised Stella so much.

Sheila glanced at the resignation letter, then let her gaze drift to Stella's pregnant belly. Her lips curled into a mocking smile.

"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 know exactly what kind of people the Somertons are, and what you are in comparison."

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