True Identity

After striking a few poses for a lipstick product shoot, Emily sat down for a break, fiddling with her phone.

She allowed her assistant-slash-manager to touch up her makeup for the next shoot.

"So, you're really seeing that widower?" Toni interrogated as he dusted blush across the model's cheeks. The slightly flamboyant man squinted, waiting for Emily's answer.

"You're so nosy," Emily replied lazily.

"I've been getting questions from reporters. What am I supposed to say, baby?"

"Just say yes," Emily pouted. "Actually, I'm chasing his love," she added with a slightly wistful tone.

"Hello, darling! You're beautiful, famous, young—there are tons of men lining up for you! Why are you chasing that widower? Especially when rumor says he's nearly bankrupt?" Toni remarked with that gossipy tone only he could pull off.

"You have no idea how mesmerizing he is! Kevin is like a reincarnation of Zeus! So sexy! I don't care about his status!"

Right after that, Emily's ears caught the sound of a child crying—one she instantly recognized. Her eyes widened as she turned toward the source of the sound.

Both Toni and Emily were stunned when they saw the father and son. They were divine creations—beautiful, through and through. In that moment, even Toni understood why Emily was so obsessed.

"That widower really is irresistible," Toni muttered, biting the tip of his makeup brush.

"Didn't I tell you?" Emily smiled sweetly, her gaze locked on the handsome man standing across the room.

But how did Kevin know she was here? He hadn't called or asked about her shoot. Was Kevin psychic?

"Mama!" David jumped down from Kevin's arms and ran to her. The boy looked like he had just been crying, his eyes puffy and red.

"Sweetheart, why are you crying?"

"Why did you leave, Mama?" he sobbed, clinging to her. Emily's heart melted at the boy's affection and clinginess. He was such a sweet child, like he was born to be hers.

"Mama's just working for a little while." Emily gently wiped away his tears. "Don't cry anymore, okay? Mama isn't going anywhere."

Her reassuring gaze calmed David instantly. He hugged her tightly, his sobs softening.

"Come sit with me. Do you want to watch Mama work?" Emily lifted him into her arms and walked to a nearby sofa, tugging Kevin's arm along as he stood still, quiet.

"Toni, tell Tyler to buy drinks for my husband and son," Emily winked at Kevin, who looked visibly annoyed. Why was he so resistant to being called her husband? What was she lacking?

Pretty? Independent? Smart? She could cook. She could raise kids. She was a model and a career woman. Emily could do it all! Kevin was such a hypocrite! she cursed inwardly. But no worries. Emily was working on making him fall hard.

Knowing Kevin couldn't fight her when she was like this, Emily suddenly sat beside him and kissed his cheek playfully.

"Can you not act crazy for just one day?" Kevin sighed in frustration.

"Don't be shy, babe!" Emily kissed him again, this time more dramatically, then wrapped her arms around him sweetly.

"You're like a ghost of a desperate virgin obsessed with marriage."

"Maybe I am!" Emily said with a breezy tone.

People around them glanced at the couple, nudging each other.

To them, Emily and Kevin looked perfect together. With Emily's beauty and Kevin's striking looks, plus the adorable David stuck to his "soon-to-be mom," they looked like a true picture-perfect family.

"Wow, Mama, you look so pretty!" David grinned as he watched Emily being touched up again by Toni.

"Really, baby?"

"Yes! You're so pretty!" David jumped up and down in excitement. The boy ran to Emily and kept chattering non-stop.

Kevin remained quiet, watching the woman his son called beautiful. He had to admit—David was right. Emily was beautiful. She was also kind, patient, hardworking, and incredibly loving toward children.

Maybe she had only one flaw, she was horny as hell.

Once again, the pair became media darlings in Barcelona. Kevin's looks and their chemistry earned public admiration. They were even dubbed "couple goals."

But it wasn't all sweet headlines. The ugly truth of Kevin's failing business also began surfacing. Many accused him of using Emily's fame to revive his fashion brand.

Using her? What a joke.

Kevin's phone rang, snapping him from his thoughts. Seeing his mother's name on the screen, his face darkened further. He knew what was coming. She was going to interrogate him about Emily.

But if he didn't pick up, she'd probably fly in from Paris just to get her answer.

"Yes, Mom?" he answered begrudgingly.

"My future daughter-in-law is gorgeous!"

"She's not, Mom. She's not anyone special. It's complicated. But I swear, she's just some crazy woman David happens to like."

"That's a good thing! If David likes her, it means she's nice! Your father already did a background check, she's from a good family! For once, your father agrees, if you want to marry her, go ahead!"

"You tried to arrange a marriage for me back then, and now you're all on board when we're not even in a relationship? God, you two are exhausting!"

"Was your chosen wife the right one, darling? Come home now! Quit playing around and take over your father's company. You lost the bet, we were right, weren't we? That gold-digging woman left you and betrayed you."

"Mom..."

"No more excuses! Come home, and bring Emily with you! Stop resisting. It's time to become your true self."

Kevin ended the call, his expression stormier than ever. His parents were at it again. Why didn't they understand that he wanted to be independent and build his own legacy?

Even though it was tough, Kevin had proven that he could survive without the wealth and prestige of his family name. Without telling anyone that his family owned the most powerful fashion company in Paris. That his father's brand was globally renowned, a luxury label everyone chased.

Kevin was the eldest, followed by his two spoiled younger brothers, Kennard and Damian, useless party boys who only knew how to burn through Daddy's money.

As the call ended, Kevin's gaze returned to Emily, who was mid-photoshoot. A small smile tugged at his lips as he spotted David watching with an eager, starstruck face.

Kevin had to admit Emily had endless patience with children. She could make even a stubborn boy like David obedient without ever raising her voice. He wasn't surprised his father's investigators said she was a good woman. He could feel it too.

He already said it, didn't he?

Emily only had one flaw: she was horny.

Now the question was, should he accept defeat and return to Paris?

His company was on the brink of collapse, thanks to Davira's betrayal. Maybe it was time for Kevin to embrace his identity again.

Because if he didn't… his son's future would be in ruins. And Kevin would never let David suffer for his pride. David deserved the best, and Kevin would make damn sure he got it.

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