MANILA -- After nearly a month of being out of the public eye, and purposely avoiding sharing recent photos of herself, Kris Aquino alarmed fans on Wednesday as she admitted being “broken,” with selfies in which she appears gaunt.

Aquino, 47, included the photos in an Instagram video showing her in a meeting with her legal team, days after she revealed being the victim of an unnamed business partner’s “betrayal.”

Addressing her millions-strong followers on social media, Aquino said the business-related ordeal has taken a toll on her physical well-being.

She wrote: “Hirap na hirap po ako na may mga pinagtakpan sa inyo. Pinayuhan akong manahimik hanggang makumpleto ang due diligence.

“I’ve always been honest, sometimes to a fault. The reason you haven’t seen me post new pics is because I lost weight in the last six weeks, unable to eat or sleep properly.

“You told me that you admired my strength. Natakot akong baka mawala ang bilib nyo sa ‘kin because I am now broken. But I decided to set myself free and share with you what affected me.”

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A post shared by KRIS AQUINO (@krisaquino) on Sep 25, 2018 at 5:34am PDT

• Kris Aquino reveals 'betrayal, financial abuse,' enlists help of Florin Hilbay

Aquino previously said the “financial abuse” involves 14 branches of the movie-snacking outlets Nacho Bimby+Potato Corner, and the Thai beauty brand Snail White.

She did not identify the person or business entity that caused her the “the devastating pain of lost trust.”

Aquino, who is one of the country’s top individual taxpayers, has since assembled a legal team headed by her long-time lawyer, Sig Fortun, with the help of former Solicitor General Florin Hilbay.

In her post on Wednesday, Aquino expressed concern over how this episode might affect her sons, Josh and Bimby, both of whom she is raising as a single mother.

She said: “My pain comes from my fear that tens of tax paid millions from my sons’ trust funds — money I conscientiously saved for them because I made a deathbed promise to my mom that Kuya Josh and Bimb will always come first — baka mawala lahat.

“It is wrong that the two boys I love most, my life’s meaning and inspiration, may suffer consequences because I was targeted and deceived by a person with no conscience.”

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A post shared by KRIS AQUINO (@krisaquino) on Aug 29, 2018 at 2:58am PDT

Still without naming the supposed culprit, Aquino mentioned that two of his family members have assured her their cooperation.

“The settlement or legal battle will now be in the hands of lawyers I respect, auditing and accounting firms I trust, the word of honor of his deeply shamed mother and sister that all my investments shall be returned, and our collective prayers that justice for my sons will prevail,” she said.

Aquino, formerly one of the most visible TV personalities who successfully transitioned to digital with her own production company, surmised that this “humiliation” is a reminder to use her voice, or influence, to help those have been similarly victimized but who cannot speak in the same way she can.

“Everything happens for a reason. Maybe God made me experience this humiliation for me to have first-hand experience na niloko ako sa pinaghirapan kong pera, dahil nga may boses ako at ‘yung boses na ‘yun dapat gamitin para magsalita at ipagtanggol ang mga napipilitang manahimik. I will continue to believe: ang tama, nilalaban,” she said.

While the comments feature for Aquino’s post appears disabled, fans of the actress expressed their concern, and gave supportive words on her other posts and social media pages. Some encouraged her to prioritize her well-being, while others shared Aquino’s confidence that “justice will prevail.”