Semua Bab The CEO’s Wife Who Chose Herself: Bab 1 - Bab 10

Chapter 1Umuulan nang gabing iyon. Hindi malakas, pero tuloy-tuloy — parang may mabigat na bagay na hindi tumitigil bumagsak.Elaine Flores sat across from her husband inside Aron’s private office at Salazar Holdings.Hindi sa bahay.Hindi sa kwarto nila.Dito. Sa lugar kung saan siya palaging mas komportable kaysa sa kahit saan.The divorce papers were placed neatly between them.Maayos. Organised. Just like him.“You know this marriage was never my decision,” Aron said quietly.Hindi siya galit. Hindi rin siya defensive.He sounded… tired.“Our grandparents arranged it. It was an alliance. I respected it for five years. But I can’t keep living like this.”Elaine kept her eyes on the table. Ayaw niyang tumingin agad. Ayaw niyang makita sa mukha niya kung gaano kasakit ang marinig iyon.“Living like what?” she asked, barely above a whisper.“Like I’m tied to something I didn’t choose.”Something.Hindi someone.Something.Her throat tightened.He continued, softer now. “I want to mar

Chapter 3Elaine stood inside the airport terminal, one hand on the handle of her suitcase.It was almost 2 AM.Hindi matao. Just a few tired travelers, some airport staff, the sound of rolling luggage across tiled floors.She chose the earliest flight she could find.Singapore.She didn’t overthink it.She just needed to leave before she changed her mind.She sat near the window, watching planes take off one by one.Every time a plane lifted into the dark sky, her chest tightened.Ganito pala ang pakiramdam ng umalis.Not dramatic.Just heavy.She opened her phone.No missed calls.No messages.She stared at Aron’s name in her contacts.She didn’t delete it.Hindi pa.Instead, she typed a message.Ingat ka.She stared at it for a long time.Then deleted it.Hindi na niya trabaho ang mag-alala.She leaned back on the cold metal chair and closed her eyes for a second.Five years.Five years syang nagmahal..She wasn’t angry anymore.She was just… empty.⸻At the same time—Aron finally

Chapter 5Singapore – 9:15 AMElaine stood outside a tall glass building in Raffles Place.Reyes Capital wasn’t even the company’s name yet — this was just a mid-sized investment firm looking for junior analysts.Entry level.From being a CEO’s wife to lining up for an entry-level position.Kung may nakakakilala sa kanya dito, baka pagtawanan siya.But nobody did.She checked her reflection on the glass door.Simple blouse.Black slacks.Minimal makeup.Walang designer bag.Walang bodyguard.Walang “Mrs. Salazar.”Just Elaine Flores.Huminga siya nang malalim.Kaya mo ‘to.Inside, the reception area smelled like coffee and printer ink. May ibang applicants din, mostly younger than her.One of them glanced at her resume while she was holding it.“You shifted careers?” the girl asked casually. “You were… married into corporate leadership?”Elaine gave a small, polite smile. “Something like that.”Something like that.She didn’t elaborate.When her name was called, biglang nanlamig ang p

Chapter 7Salazar Residence – Late EveningCamille adjusted her diamond earrings in front of the mirror.“Are you even listening?” she asked.Aron blinked.“Yes.”“Anong yes?” she said softly, almost teasing. “I was asking if you prefer the navy gown or the black one for tomorrow’s charity gala.”He looked at her.Actually looked at her.“You’ll look good in anything.”Smile.Polite.Measured.Camille tilted her head.“That’s not how you used to answer.”Silence.Aron stood and poured himself a drink.“I’ve just been busy.”“With what?” she asked gently.He didn’t answer.Instead, he changed the subject.“What time is the gala?”She watched him carefully.Hindi siya tanga.For years she learned how to read men in boardrooms, investors in negotiations.At ngayon…She was reading him.“You’ve been distant,” she said quietly.“I finalized the divorce,” he replied flatly.“That’s not what I meant.”Tahimik ulit.Camille stepped closer.“Are you thinking about her?”The question hung in th

Chapter 9Crestline Capital – Executive FloorElaine was reviewing quarterly exposure sheets when Mr. Lim entered without knocking.“Close the door.”That wasn’t casual.She stood immediately.“Yes, sir?”He placed a folder on her desk.“Salazar Group is proposing a joint regional liquidity hedge.”Her fingers paused.Professional face.Neutral.“I see.”“He specifically requested you to be lead strategist.”There it was.Not coincidence.Not accident.Choice.Elaine kept her tone even. “Because I handled the volatility framework?”Mr. Lim studied her carefully.“He said you understand his risk tolerance.”The irony almost made her smile.“Yes,” she replied calmly. “I do.”Mr. Lim folded his arms.“This deal doubles our regional footprint. But it will require close coordination.”“How close?”“Direct reporting between you and Salazar.”No buffer.No middle executive.Just them.Elaine’s heartbeat shifted — but her face didn’t.“I can do it,” she said.Mr. Lim nodded once.“And one mor