All Chapters of The Wife Behind the Wealth: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

Amara's POV The first thing I saw that Monday morning was a red notice taped to our front door. The second was my mother's trembling hand. And the third was the amount printed in bold letters. ₱2,480,000.00. Ma, ano 'to?" I asked, staring at the paper. My mother quickly wiped her tears. "Wala 'to, anak. Don't worry." "Nothing? Ma, almost two and a half million pesos 'to!" She looked away. "I'll find a way." I wanted to believe her, but our savings were gone, my father's medical bills kept increasing, and our small bakery barely earned enough to cover daily expenses. Neither did I. By eight o'clock, I was inside a crowded jeepney, checking my bank account. Available balance: ₱3,842.17. "Wow, Amara. Millionaire ka na talaga," I muttered. I worked as a freelance graphic designer, creating logos and advertisements for small businesses. Unfortunately, several clients hadn't paid me, and another had canceled a project without compensation. My phone vibrated. F

Amara arrived at Monteverde Tower the following morning with a notebook, a pen, and a lawyer she had contacted through an old client. Attorney Elena Cruz was in her forties, sharp-eyed, and unimpressed by expensive buildings. Amara liked her immediately. “Remember,” Elena whispered as they entered the elevator. “Hindi porke mayaman ang kausap mo, ibig sabihin siya ang may control sa lahat.” Amara nodded. “I'm trying to remember that.” “Good. And don't sign anything because you're frightened. Understand every condition first.” When the elevator opened, Camille Reyes was waiting for them. “Good morning, Ms. Villanueva. Attorney Cruz.” Good

Amara thought signing the marriage agreement would bring her peace. Instead, she spent the entire night wondering what she had gotten herself into. By seven the following morning, she was sitting at the kitchen table, staring at her phone while waiting for confirmation about her father's medical expenses. Her mother placed a cup of coffee beside her. "May balita na ba?" "Not yet, Ma. They're verifying the documents." Lydia sat opposite her. "Are you sure about this marriage?" Amara forced a smile. "As sure as someone can be when marrying a man she barely knows."

The Monteverde mansion was quiet when Adrian drove me home after dinner, but my mind was anything but peaceful. I kept replaying every conversation at that table. Every suspicious glance. Every carefully disguised insult. And most of all, the way Sebastian Monteverde had looked at me, as if I were a stain on an expensive white carpet. “Are you always this quiet after meeting my family?” Adrian asked from the driver's seat. I glanced at him. “Are you always this insensitive after introducing someone to a room full of people who clearly think she doesn't belong?” His fingers tightened around the steering wheel. “I warned you they wouldn't be welcoming.”You warned me they might ask questions. You forgot to mention they would examine me like I was applying for a job I wasn't qualified for.” “Would you have accepted the invitation if I'd told you?” “Of course not.” “Then perhaps I made the correct decision.” I stared at him in disbelief. “Wow. Your ability to be annoying

Before you marry Adrian, you need to know that his family wasn't the only one responsible for what happened.” Napahigpit ang hawak ko sa cellphone. “Pa, anong ibig mong sabihin?” Sa kabilang linya, narinig ko ang mahinang pag-ubo niya bago siya sumagot. “Years ago, may pinirmahan akong supplier agreement para sa isang Monteverde construction project. Akala ko ordinaryong kontrata lang. Pero nang mawala ang pera, ako ang sinisi.” “May kinalaman ka ba sa nawawalang pera?” “Wala akong ninakaw, Amara. Pero may mga dokumentong ginamit laban sa akin.” “Sino ang gumawa noon?” Sandaling natahimik si Papa. “Sebastian Monteverde.” Nanlamig ang mga kamay ko. Ang lalaking ngumiti sa akin sa hapag-kainan, ang lalaking tila minamaliit ako sa bawat pagkakataon, ay maaaring may kinalaman sa pagbagsak ng negosyo ng pamilya namin. “Bakit ngayon mo lang sinabi sa akin?” “Dahil may mga taong nagbanta sa akin. Ayokong madamay kayo.” Napapikit ako. “Pa, ikakasal na ako sa pinsan