Kevin sat in silence behind the wheel, lost in thought after dropping off David and Emily at a cemetery to pay respects with flowers.
He couldn't understand how his son could bond that quickly with that shameless woman.
Even at a hot, boring place like a cemetery, David was laughing and full of joy. It was baffling.
While waiting, Kevin pulled out his phone and opened a search engine. He typed in "Emily Louis" and scrolled through the results carefully.
"She's only twenty-seven?" he muttered after clicking on a blog post with her profile.Turns out, she was a newcomer in the modeling world. No wonder he didn't know much about her.
He read through the list of her favorite foods, hobbies, and education background before moving on to another article—this time about her love life.
It said Emily was rather indifferent to romance and often ignored the advances of male models who tried to pursue her. She'd supposedly stated she wanted to focus on her career before even thinking about relationships.
"Indifferent?" Kevin scoffed. "That perverted woman? She was practically crawling into my pants the day we met."
Curious, he clicked on the images tab next, and browsed through the hundreds of pictures of Emily—from cutesy to sexy to downright sinful poses with her male co-models.
"I'll admit, she's attractive," Kevin muttered while clicking on a lingerie ad featuring her body. "Too bad her brain's a little fried."
His thoughts turned filthy as his mind replayed their steamy encounter that morning.Damn it.
"Papa! Let's go buy ice cream! Mommy and I finished visiting Grandma and Grandpa!"David's cheerful voice startled him. When did they get into the car?
Kevin snapped out of his trance and shoved the phone into his pocket. He quickly ruffled David's hair and started the engine—his face stiff with unease.
Had Emily seen his screen?
God no! She'd never let him live it down if she knew he had been drooling over her photos online.
"Baby, Mommy can't take you to school tomorrow, okay? I've got an important job," Emily said, kissing David's cheek.
"Then I'm going with you!" he whined.
"You have school, sweetheart. I'll come over again in the afternoon, okay?"
"Liar! You'll leave me, just like Mommy Davira did!"
"Since when did you become so whiny?" Kevin cut in. "Let Emily do her job. Stop bothering her like this!"
"Kevin! Don't be so mean!" Emily yanked his ear, scolding him like a child. "Fine. Just tell his teacher he's not feeling well. I'll take him with me to my shoot."
"But—" Kevin tried to argue.
"No buts. Just this once, okay honey?" she said sweetly to David, who slowly nodded and clung to her again.
The boy curled up beside her, eyes drooping with sleep. Kevin's face soured.
Mommy? Since when did she get promoted to wife status?
Unbelievable. That crazy woman would never melt his heart.Emily was not his type.
"Look at that, Kevin. Your son is already comfortable with me. What are you waiting for?" she whispered while running her hand over his thigh.
"Don't even hope."
"Then explain this—what were you looking at on your phone before we got back?" she teased, her fingers slowly, seductively grazing his thigh, making Kevin stiffen.
If David weren't in the car, Kevin would've kicked her out by now. And what the hell was wrong with him? Why was his little brother down there reacting just from seeing Emily's photos?
"Cut it out," he growled, shoving her hand away.
"Don't be a hypocrite, Kevin. You're addicted, aren't you?" she smirked. "I don't mind helping you again. Think of it as a thank you gift, for letting me borrow your mighty sword this morning." She flicked him casually, with no shame whatsoever.
Kevin clenched his jaw, suppressing the anger rising in his chest.He refused to explode in front of David. Not now. Not while the kid was happy.
He would endure this madness… until David got bored of her. Then he'd kick her out of their lives for good.
"Hypocrite," Emily muttered under her breath.
She wrapped her arms around the sleeping David and closed her eyes.Surprisingly, the visit to the cemetery had lightened her mood a little.
David had a way of comforting her, even without trying. Emily had always liked kids, but this boy… this one felt different.
Wouldn't she make a perfect mom for him? She smiled to herself.
*****
When they got home, Emily tucked David in before walking out to talk to Kevin. She had a photoshoot that evening.
"I have to go now," she said, approaching him while he was busy on his laptop.
"Finally."
"I'll be back tonight. Tell David I'm sorry. I didn't mean to leave him."
"I don't care. You don't have to come back."
Emily playfully skipped over and plopped herself on his lap.
"What? You want him crying without me? Give me your phone," she snatched it from the table. "I'll save my number. Call me if he gets upset."
But as she tapped on his screen, her finger accidentally hit the search tab… and there it was, a full screen of her sexy lingerie photo.
Emily's eyes widened—then she smirked.
So… Kevin had been ogling her photos?Well, well.
She placed the phone back on the table with a wicked grin.
"So, you were checking out my pics?" she teased, inching closer. "Do you think I'm sexy?"
Shit! Kevin forgot to clear his search history. Now her ego would be ten times bigger.
"Can you stop being disgusting?" he muttered, pushing her hand away as she groped him again.
"You're already hard, Kevin!"
"I'm a normal man! Any guy would react when a woman does that!"
"Then admit it. You want me." Emily grinned smugly. "Honestly, I don't think I'll need all 29 days to make you mine." She kissed the corner of his lips and pinched his nose playfully.
"I have work to do! You should be working too, darling. Don't tire yourself out." She kissed him all over the face before hopping off his lap.
Kevin sat frozen in silence. God help him. This woman needed to be taught a lesson.
"I read your story online, by the way," she said. "About how your designs were leaked, and your so-called friend stole them and your wife at the same time."
Kevin's expression darkened instantly.
Yes, it was true. Davira had leaked his fashion collection to her lover, who launched the designs first. Kevin had invested billions in that line.It ruined him.
"I majored in Fashion Design, you know," Emily continued. "I've got tons of sketches. I'll leave my book here. Maybe they can help you."
She got up and returned moments later with a small notebook, kissing his cheek again before heading out.
Kevin stared at the book in his hands, a small smile forming. As annoying as she was, Emily had a good heart.
He wasn't sure if her designs would be any good… but he appreciated the gesture. He needed a hit collection. His remaining funds could only support one more launch.
If it succeeded, he'd recover everything. If it failed… he'd lose it all.
"All right then…" Kevin opened the first page.
And there it was, something stunning.