By Jovit D. Caballero

What happens when love is tested by betrayal? Do we crumble under the weight of heartbreak, or do we rise stronger than before? Aileen never imagined she would face such a trial in her relationship, but when she found herself at the crossroads of trust and deception, she was forced to confront her deepest fears.

Aileen Simbul-Mitu, a 29-year-old Secretary in the Asset Management Division, grew up in a small barangay in Sasmuan, Pampanga. She was raised by her mother, a housewife, and her father, a fish supply delivery driver, alongside her three older siblings. From an early age, Aileen recognized that their family lived a comfortable life, as her father also owned fishponds, providing an additional source of income that more than met their family’s needs and wants.

Free from financial worries, Aileen enjoyed her childhood at Malusac Elementary School. Despite being naturally introverted, she actively participated in extracurricular activities, with declamation contests becoming some of her most cherished experiences. Life seemed smooth and stable—until she entered high school, when her family was faced with the challenge of living apart.

Aileen completed her first year at Malusac High School, but a major change came when her paternal grandparents returned to the Philippines after years of living in the United States. They requested her family to move in with them in San Fernando, Pampanga. However, due to her father’s work and fishpond business, relocating the entire family wasn’t feasible. Instead, Aileen’s mother volunteered to move with her, while her eldest sister also settled in San Fernando, staying with their aunt, who was a teacher at her school. This left her father and two brothers in their original home in Sasmuan.

In her second year of high school, Aileen transferred once again, this time to Betis High School in Guagua, Pampanga, where her eldest sister was studying. However, living in San Fernando meant longer commutes and additional expenses. As a result, she transferred to Pampanga High School in San Fernando for her third and fourth years. Despite the challenges of adapting to different cultures and environments, she persevered and thrived academically, ultimately graduating with outstanding achievements. Unbeknownst to Aileen, even greater challenges were just around the corner.

During Aileen’s high school years, her family received troubling news—their father’s business was gradually declining. However, it wasn’t until her first years in college at Don Honorio Ventura Technological State University in Bacolor, Pampanga, where she pursued a degree in Business Administration majoring in Marketing, that the business completely collapsed. As a result, her grandfather, a retired engineer from the U.S., stepped in to support their education. This is also where she met her long-time partner and future husband, Mits.

But what made the situation even more devastating was learning the true cause of its downfall—a third party. A woman whom her father regularly gave a ride to work eventually formed an emotional connection with him and became his mistress. Blinded by obsession, he spent excessively on her until the business went bankrupt. In the end, she left him, making him realize too late that the risk had never been worth the cost. After months of their father’s efforts to rebuild trust, Aileen and her siblings—most especially their mother—welcomed him back with open arms. After all, a father’s presence in a family plays a vital role, particularly for the children.

In 2016, shortly after graduating from college, Aileen unexpectedly landed her first job. At the time, the project team for the Segment 3 Widening Project had a staff house right beside their home in San Fernando. Her mother also ran a small sari-sari store, where engineers would often stop by to pass the time. These engineers encouraged Aileen to apply for a position as an Admin Assistant at Savvice Corporation. Fortunately, she was hired, marking the start of her professional journey.

The following year, Aileen seized an opportunity to apply for a project-based position at NLEX Corporation under the Project Management Department. She was hired and took on the role of secretary for Sir Ryan Mallari and Sir Marc Macaspac. Eventually, in 2018, she was invited to apply as the secretary of Ma’am JJ Go in the Asset Management Division. This became her long-term professional home, where she continues to serve with dedication and fulfillment to this day.

In 2020, just before the pandemic struck, Aileen received the greatest blessing of her life—she became pregnant with her first child. However, instead of sharing in her joy, her then-boyfriend, Mits, began to change. Despite knowing about the pregnancy, his behavior toward her grew distant and cold, leaving Aileen confused and searching for answers. Then, in April Fools’ Day, she received news so shocking that she wished it had been just a cruel joke. With visible guilt, Mits confessed that he had developed a deeper connection with another woman. At first, Aileen laughed, thinking it was just an April Fools’ prank. But the moment she looked into his eyes, her world shattered. She knew then that he wasn’t lying – Mits had been unfaithful.

The betrayal was painful, but instead of drowning in heartbreak, Aileen chose to focus on the one thing that truly mattered—the life growing inside her. Rather than becoming a woman consumed by loss, she embraced the role of a mother, determined to give her child the love and security they deserved. Her heart may have been broken, but her spirit remained whole, fueled by the unwavering strength of a mother’s love.

Over the next four months, Mits came to a realization—his heart still belonged to Aileen and their soon-to-be-born daughter. Determined to make things right, he put in the effort to rebuild what he had broken, ensuring that both Aileen and their baby had everything they needed. His actions served as a painful reminder of her father’s past mistakes, but also of the possibility of redemption. By the fifth month, Mits took a bold step forward—he formally apologized and faced Aileen’s entire family, seeking their forgiveness. By God’s grace, they chose to believe in his sincerity, trusting his promise to never stray again and to dedicate himself fully to their family from that moment on.

In November of that year, Aileen and Mits welcomed their greatest blessing—Issey, a healthy and beautiful baby girl who brought light into their once-complicated world. She became the glue that held them together and their lucky charm inspiring them to move forward. As they embraced parenthood, they also nurtured their shared dreams, continuing the Korean items online business they had started in college. Aileen’s live selling and pasabuy business flourished as well. Then, on Issey’s second birthday in November 2022, the couple decided to seal their journey with a vow, officially beginning a new chapter as husband and wife.

Aileen’s story is not just about overcoming pain, but about choosing love—love for oneself, for family, and for the future. She turned her trials into stepping stones, building a life where forgiveness and commitment triumphed over past mistakes. Now, as a devoted wife, a loving mother, and a thriving entrepreneur, she stands as a testament to the power of hope and second chances. Though her world trembled, Aileen’s resilience beyond betrayal paved the way for the beautiful beginnings she truly deserved.

---

---