Back in the Game

When I defeated Natalie for the tenth time and claimed the Supermodel Champion title, her childhood sweetheart, Jared, proposed to me.

With his devastatingly handsome face, he kneeled on one knee, ring in hand, and asked, “Will you marry me?”

I knew his reason. He wanted me to step away from the runway, retreat into family life, and leave the stage clear for Natalie.

However, I still accepted his proposal. That very night, I pulled him into my bed.

What followed was seven years of marriage. Though I never held another championship title, I gave birth to three children.

They inherited not only my supermodel figure but also their father’s extraordinary looks.

Wherever I went with the three of them, we gained millions of adoring fans.

On my birthday, Jared handed me the registration form for the “Supermodel Showdown”.

The competition, held only once every ten years, was the dream of countless models.

It was organized by Aeterna, one of the most prestigious luxury fashion houses.

The champion would earn a ten-year national ambassadorship contract with Aeterna, worth hundreds of millions.

I smiled as I looked at the form. He wanted me to enter so that Natalie could defeat me in front of everyone.

However, I hadn’t lost to her seven years ago, nor will I now.

I signed my name without hesitation.

Jared could not help but tease, watching me as I signed my name on the document. “You’re not really going to take this seriously, are you? Just for fun. After all, you can’t win anymore.”

His gaze dropped to my stomach, and his lips curved with ridicule.

I smiled as well. He was right. This was only for fun.

The truth was that I had already secured a global ambassadorship contract with Aeterna, so why would I care about receiving the national one from the competition?

Thanks to my three children, the contract fee had tripled.

As Aeterna was expanding into the family luxury market, I was their ideal face.

When I agreed, they even invited me to serve as a special judge for Supermodel Showdown, with veto power over the contestants.

I got to decide who won and who didn’t.

Later that evening, I saw Jared’s messages with Natalie on his laptop.

[Jared, has Clarissa agreed to compete? I want everyone to see me step on her.]

Jared replied within seconds. [Don’t worry. Everything is set. The way she looks now, she’ll fall hard.]

I was not surprised by Jared’s message.

I had always known he did not love me, and his proposal had been for Natalie’s sake.

Seven years of marriage and three children had been his way of burying my career completely.

However, I had my own purpose with him.

I wanted his genes and to have beautiful children.

So, the moment he proposed, I agreed without thinking.

After all, a modeling career could not last forever. It was better to prepare early than to be cast aside by time.

I had already reached the peak, and I no longer needed the crown. What I wanted more were clever, beautiful children of my own.

Natalie sent him cheerful emojis.

Jared replied quickly. [She’s had three children and gained ten pounds. She’s a pig compared to you.]

I laughed to myself. To comfort Natalie, he would say anything.

When I debuted as a model, the industry was amazed by my figure ratio, and I had only grown more striking with time.

Even with twenty extra pounds, I remained the number one model.

Just yesterday, Aeterna had praised my updated measurements and raised my fee, declaring me their best ambassador.

Hearing Jared’s insults, however, allowed Natalie to relax. She cooed sweetly.

[Thank you, Jared, for taking such a burden off my heart. Once I win, I’ll give you a child too!]

Jared’s reply was curt.

[I will never cross that line. Loyalty to my family is where I draw the line.]

I froze and closed the laptop, walking over to the dining table and cutting myself a piece of cake.

I already had my children. Raising them without him would not be impossible.

After only two bites, Jared knocked it aside.

“Look at the shape you’re in. And you’re still eating?”

When I finally glanced properly at the cake, I noticed Natalie’s name written. It turned out the cake was meant for her.

I set down my fork and asked calmly, “I gave birth and am raising three children. Do I not deserve a piece of cake on my birthday?”

He tossed his black card onto the table, his expression edged with impatience.

“Don’t make a fuss over something so small. The card has no limit. Buy yourself whatever you like. I have work. Bye.”

Half an hour later, I saw Natalie’s latest post online.

[Thank you, Jared, for such an extravagant birthday celebration. You will always be my soulmate.]

I stared at the screen in silence until my kids threw their arms around me.

“Don’t be sad, Mommy. We’ll celebrate with you.”

My eldest, Anna, had already mastered how to read a room. She brought out a cake she had baked herself and placed a party hat on my head.

I smiled, tapping her nose.

“I’m not sad, sweetheart. On the contrary, I’m grateful.”

For as long as I could remember, I had been alone.

My greatest dream was to have children who shared my blood. Clever, beautiful, and backed by a powerful family, they would never have to struggle as I had.

Who else could offer better genes and connections than Jared, the man who had built an empire in fashion?

He thought he had destroyed me, burying my career for Natalie’s sake, not realizing I had captured him.

The moment he entered my life, I never let go.

I pulled him into my bed again and again. Three children later, I had already won.

Now, it was time to devote myself to my career once more.