Tous les chapitres de : Chapitre 1 - Chapitre 10

Chapter 1: Abandoned in the RainAleira's Point of ViewThey say you never forget the moment your heart truly breaks.For me, it happened on a Friday night, beneath a sky that mourned with me. The rain poured endlessly, soaking through my thin blouse and clinging to my skin like the pain I couldn’t shake off. It wasn’t just a storm—it was a storm inside me too.I stood frozen outside my boarding house, trembling as the streetlamp flickered above me. One hand gripped the handle of my suitcase, the other rested protectively on my stomach. I was two months pregnant. The life inside me barely the size of a lemon, yet it had already become my entire world.And the father of my child?Gone.Just an hour ago, Michael had kissed my cheek and told me he was heading out to grab some food. I even laughed, asking him to bring back my favorite chicken skin from the vendor down the road. He smiled and promised.But instead of chicken skin… I got a message.> “This isn’t the life I want. Don’t conta

Chapter 3: The Man Beneath the Umbrella(Aleira’s Point of View)The rain always had a way of finding me—especially on the days I felt most broken.I stepped out of the building with my shoes already soaked and my heart heavier than ever. My blazer clung to my arms like a second skin, damp and cold, and the fourth rejection letter of the day was crumpled in my hand. I didn’t even bother trying to find shelter. What was the point?The receptionist’s voice from earlier still echoed in my head.“Sorry, Ma’am. The position has already been filled.”But I saw her glance at my résumé, then at the photo of Lara paper-clipped to it.“Single mom?” she asked, barely hiding her judgment.I nodded. She smiled politely. I knew what that meant. The next words were routine.“We’ll keep your résumé on file.”I walked out before I could start crying.The city smelled of rust and wet pavement. Manila’s chaos didn’t stop just because someone’s world was falling apart. People rushed past me, umbrellas op

Chapter 5- The CEO is him.(Aleira’s Point of View)Wednesday morning came too soon.I stood in front of the Montenegro Tower once again, but this time, everything felt different. The usual buzz of city life faded into a low hum as my nerves kicked into overdrive. I smoothed my skirt, adjusted the collar of my blouse, and took one last look at the executive floor invitation.Final interview.With the CEO himself.My stomach flipped. I hadn’t been able to sleep properly since the email arrived. Thoughts of that night in the alley and Brent Montenegro’s face haunted every waking moment.But today, he would see me not as the woman cowering in the rain—but as a professional, competent applicant. I hoped.Inside, the receptionist from last time greeted me with a smile. “Executive floor, Miss Tan. Elevator on the right. Just scan your pass.”The ride up was silent. Each ding of a passing floor sounded like a countdown to something life-changing.When the elevator doors opened, I was met wit

Chapter 7: A Mother’s Strength(Aleira’s Point of View)The second week at Montenegro Enterprises came faster than I’d expected. Work had become a blur of schedules, phone calls, and reports. The tension between Brent and me hadn’t vanished—it simmered quietly beneath the surface, like a fire waiting for air. But today, my focus was elsewhere.Lara had a fever.I woke up at dawn with her clinging to me, her skin burning up. My heart tightened. I gave her medicine and kissed her forehead, whispering that everything would be okay. Then I faced the clock.It was 6:30 AM.I still had to go to work.Mica had warned me that Mr. Montenegro didn’t tolerate tardiness, especially not in his department. But I couldn’t leave Lara unattended. I called my neighbor, Ate Sion, who often helped watch her when I was at interviews. She agreed to babysit again.By the time I arrived at the office, I was five minutes late. My heels clicked hurriedly on the marble floor as I entered the executive wing, clu

Chapter 9: The Man Who Watches(Aleira’s Point of View)The tension in the air was almost tangible by Monday morning. After the note, the rumors, and Brent’s quiet confrontation, I expected things to simmer down.But I was wrong.If anything, the whispers grew louder.And so did Adrian’s attention."Morning, sunshine." Adrian’s voice rang out as I stepped off the elevator, holding a cup of coffee in each hand. “Vanilla latte, right?”I blinked, surprised. “You remembered?”“I remember everything about you,” he said with a wink, handing me the cup. “Well, everything I’ve observed in the last few weeks.”I laughed, shaking my head. “You’re impossible.”“But charming,” he added with a grin, walking beside me toward my desk.The heads in the office turned like synchronized dancers. Whispers started before we even passed the first department.I didn’t care anymore. I was tired of hiding my smile, tired of shrinking to make others comfortable. Adrian made me feel seen, heard—even if I didn’