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Chapter 19: Calm Hands, Steady Heart

Author: babymo1909
last update Last Updated: 2025-08-26 15:18:51

After finalizing plans with Erika, Kathalina stepped out of the Manila branch, the late afternoon sun casting long shadows across the streets. She didn’t head straight back to the hotel. Her steps were deliberate, purposely she needed to check on the house she had grown up in, the one that had been left in her care but where she hadn’t spent much time lately.

The familiar neighborhood welcomed her quietly, the trees lining the streets swaying gently with the breeze. When she reached the gates of her old home, a small pang of nostalgia flickered in her chest. The house looked just as she remembered: immaculate, the lawn perfectly trimmed, the windows shining as if polished daily. Whoever had been managing it in her absence had done their job well, maybe too well. It almost felt surreal, as though the house had been frozen in time, waiting for her return.

She pushed open the front door, and a subtle scent of fresh flowers greeted her. The floors gleamed, the furniture arranged with the
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  • The CEO's Forbidden Wife   Chapter 23: Homecoming at the Farm

    “Kathalina,” she said quietly, stepping forward. “I didn’t expect… I’m glad you’re here.”Kathalina smiled warmly and hugged her. “I’m finally here, Nana Maring. I’ve always wanted to see this place… and I missed you.”Nana Maring nodded, her expression calm but pleased.“It’s good to have you,” Nana Maring said softly, her voice carrying a quiet weight. She looked at Kathalina for a long moment, her eyes gentle but tinged with sadness, as if she were seeing her mother all over again. “You’ll see… this farm has been my life since your mother passed.”She paused, taking a slow breath, her hands tightening slightly. “I’ve tried to keep it going… for her, and now, for you.”Kathalina felt a pang in her chest hearing this. Her mother’s absence, Nana Maring’s long struggle, it all hit her at once. She swallowed hard and forced a small smile.“I know… I can feel how much you’ve cared for this place, Nana Maring. Thank you for everything.”“I’ve watched over this place all these years, hopin

  • The CEO's Forbidden Wife   Chapter 22: The Road to Baguio

    The sharp, continuous knock jolted Kathalina out of her sleep. Groggy and annoyed, she rolled over, squinting at the red glow of the wall clock. Three in the morning. Who in the world would dare disturb her at this ungodly hour?Dragging her feet, she shuffled toward the door and pulled it open.Jeff stood there, sheepish but smiling, while beside him expression carved in stone was Thirdie.Her irritation deepened. “Seriously? It’s three a.m.!”Thirdie didn’t even bother greeting her. He brushed past her and made himself at home on the living room couch. Jeff followed quietly, clearly used to his boss’s coldness.Kathalina rubbed her eyes, still half-asleep.“Why are you two in my room this early?”Thirdie’s answer was blunt. “We’re leaving now. Better to be on the road before the traffic catches us.”“Leaving?” she echoed, confused.Jeff stepped in gently, trying to soften the tension.“To Baguio, remember?”Kathalina blinked, realization dawning. The trip. Of course. She sighed, wi

  • The CEO's Forbidden Wife   Chapter 21: The Words Meant for You

    When the meeting adjourned, the board members stood, gathering their folders and exchanging polite farewells. Kathalina rose gracefully, tucking her papers neatly into her bag. Thirdie stood at the same time.Fate or perhaps cruel design pulled them toward the same direction.Thirdie’s voice cut through the lingering chatter of the conference room.“Come to my office. We need to talk.”Kathalina froze, weighing the request. For a heartbeat, she thought of refusing. But reality was sharper, there was no point in running if they were bound to work together. Sooner or later, she would have to face him.Her gaze slid to Attorney Jun. Calm, steady. “Go on ahead without me. I’ll follow later.”Attorney Jun’s brows drew together, his sharp eyes flicking toward Thirdie before settling back on her. The silence stretched before he finally gave a short nod.“Alright. I’ll wait downstairs.” With that, he gathered his files and left the room, though not without one last lingering look at Thirdie.

  • The CEO's Forbidden Wife   Chapter 20: Eyes That Never Left

    Ten minutes before the board meeting was set to begin, Attorney Jun and Kathalina entered the sleek lobby of Stone Company. The receptionist immediately rose from her seat, politely blocking their path.“Excuse me, ma’am, sir. May I see your appointment details?” she asked, her tone professional.Attorney Jun adjusted his glasses and reached into his coat pocket. “I’m a board member. Here’s my identification.”The receptionist examined the ID carefully, then called the head office to confirm. After a brief exchange on the phone, she nodded and smiled. “You may proceed, sir. Ma’am.”“Thank you,” Attorney Jun replied with a polite nod as they walked toward the elevator. The ride up was silent, the soft hum of the machine filling the space. When the doors opened on the forty-ninth floor, he stepped aside, then guided Kathalina toward the glass-paneled doors of the main conference room.When they stepped inside, the long mahogany table was already half-filled with members of the board,

  • The CEO's Forbidden Wife   Chapter 19: Calm Hands, Steady Heart

    After finalizing plans with Erika, Kathalina stepped out of the Manila branch, the late afternoon sun casting long shadows across the streets. She didn’t head straight back to the hotel. Her steps were deliberate, purposely she needed to check on the house she had grown up in, the one that had been left in her care but where she hadn’t spent much time lately.The familiar neighborhood welcomed her quietly, the trees lining the streets swaying gently with the breeze. When she reached the gates of her old home, a small pang of nostalgia flickered in her chest. The house looked just as she remembered: immaculate, the lawn perfectly trimmed, the windows shining as if polished daily. Whoever had been managing it in her absence had done their job well, maybe too well. It almost felt surreal, as though the house had been frozen in time, waiting for her return.She pushed open the front door, and a subtle scent of fresh flowers greeted her. The floors gleamed, the furniture arranged with the

  • The CEO's Forbidden Wife   Chapter 18: Anchoring the Future

    The hum of the elevator was the only sound as Kathalina and Erika stepped inside, the polished steel doors sliding shut behind them. The brief meet-and-greet with the branch employees had gone better than either of them expected. Smiles, applause, curious whispers that carried both awe and excitement, it was still strange for Kathalina to stand in the middle of it all, knowing this was the company she and Erika had built from nothing. TrendChic had grown into one of the most respected names in fashion worldwide, and now she was back at its heart.Erika folded her arms loosely, tilting her head as the elevator glided upward.“So, now that you’re officially back…” Her voice held both curiosity and challenge. “What’s your plan, Kath? You can’t exactly just hide in the office all day.”Kathalina let out a quiet laugh, her lips curving into something between relief and determination.“Actually, I’ve been thinking. Since I can’t return to Milan right now… I want to make this branch…. the Ma

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