When the Boss’ Lady Became His Sister-in-law

Chapter 168

As Kristin walked through the front door of her house, the sounds of laughter and playful banter filled the air.

She paused for a moment, her eyes widening in surprise as she spotted Summer and Milo in the living room.

“Mommy!” Summer cut through the chaos, a beam of joy on his face as he caught sight of Kristin.

Milo, on the other hand, seemed to shrink in on himself, his gaze dropping guiltily to the floor as he scooted closer to the couch for cover. Kristin recalled how Milo had once held a grudge against them, harsh words spilling from his lips, accusing them of all sorts of nonsense. Even at his young age, shame was a language he understood all too well.

“What’s going on with Milo?” Kristin whispered, curiosity lacing her tone.

Summer leaned in close, her voice barely a whisper. “Mommy, Milo’s daddy doesn’t want him anymore, so Daddy brought him home to play with me.”

Kristin’s heart skipped a beat. Caleb had abandoned Milo? She ruffled Summer’s hair affectionately and moved to squat beside Milo. “Well, you two have fun then. I will make you some yummy food. What would you like to eat, Milo?”

Milo looked up at Kristin with wide and uncertain eyes. Why was Summer’s mother so

kind?

“Can I have BBQ and cheesy baked pumpkin?” Milo asked, his voice hopeful as he sat cross–legged on the floor.

“You’ve got quite the taste! Eat whatever Kristin makes, kiddo,” Saying so, Rhett strolled into the room, having changed into more comfortable clothes. He scooped up Milo’s overalls and tossed them aside, teasingly claiming they were in the way.

Milo pouted. “Uncle Rhett, Summer is also in the way. Why don’t you pick him up?!

Rhett glanced between Summer and Milo. Though both were children, he had a soft spot

for Summer.

“Because he’s…” Rhett began./

“Because you’re wearing overalls, easy to lift,” Kristin interjected, saving Rhett from potentially wounding Milo’s feelings with a careless comment. After all, Milo’s father was far from exemplary.

“Kristin, do you know how to make BBQ?” Milo was tinged with a newfound fondness for Kristin.

“I do,” she replied warmly, tousling Milo’s hair before rising to head into the kitchen to start

dinner.

Kristin, because she’s my wife, Rhett said, playfully ruffling Milo as Kristin

Milo nodded obediently.

an eyebrow in approval and followed Kristin into the

panic in her voice. Whenever Rhett tried to help in the kitchen, it usually

Rhett reminded her, leaning casually against the

instead?” Kristin suggested, hoping to avoid any culinary

with mud?” Rhett frowned

stoic CEO playing in the mud with the kids. She bit her lip to

do I wash the ribs?” Rhett asked, eager

replied, handing him a pair.

Kristin, blushing,

ribs under her guidance, Kristin felt a warm sense of contentment. Yet, with this happiness came a growing fear, she dreaded the thought of how lost she’d feel if Rhett ever left her.

up at her like

soft and

they placed the ribs into

said earnestly, surprising Kristin with his sudden interest in

such a man, Kristin thought, her heart sinking slightly

ago… can you be sure that it was James that night?” Rhett

nearly

evasive. Any mention of that night sent Kristin into a spiral of distress, “Kristin, that night…” Rhett pressed, desperate to understand her

hot edge of the pot, her skin reddening Instantly.

instinctively to

Kristin slapped his hand away, tears welling in her eyes

apologies.

she turned

you chose to

confirmed through tear–filled eyes. “I can’t escape the prison of my mind. I can’t forget the pain of that night, and so I can’t forgive James, nor can I bear the

of

bear the touch of another man.” Kristin trembled

was his son, then it meant that on that fateful night, due to an alcohol–induced mistake, he was the

years, he had allowed that wound to fester,