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

Chapter 170

On that fateful evening, young Milo found himself abandoned by his parents, seemingly forgotten by the Gladstone family. The family’s finances were in shambles, and Caleb’s folks were busy with work, leaving the boy to fend for himself.

Caleb was as drunk as a lord, his whereabouts unknown, presumably sprawled on some woman’s bed. Eve was also as drunk as a fiddler, lying unconscious at the FitzGerald Mansion.

Kristin couldn’t bear to trust the Gladstone’s help to whisk Milo away. She pleaded with Rhett to let the boy stay, her eyes brimming with concern.

Elated yet cautious, Milo clung to Summer’s hand, his excitement palpable but contained.

After all, loneliness was a child’s greatest fear, but with a playmate by his side, the world seemed a bit brighter.

“Good thing that I switched Summer to a big kid’s bed,” Rhett mused, leaning against the revamped children’s room’s doorframe, ruffling Summer’s hair. “Is it more comfortable now, kiddo, with your growing sprout legs and all?”

Beaming, Summer bolted to the bathroom and found the sink and basin lowered to his height. “You’re the best, Dad!”

Basking in the praise, Rhett couldn’t help but smirk.

“Okay, pumpkins, time for wash up and hit the hay. School’s up early, and we’re inching closer to middle school. Must keep those grades up, you hear that?” Kristin cooed, shepherding the two tykes to brush their teeth.

Not one to watch from the sidelines, Rhett scooped up Summer, squeezing toothpaste onto a brand–new froggy toothbrush.

“I love this toothbrush!” Summer was thrilled with the gift. Anything Dad gave him was a

treasure.

Milo eyed the pink piggy brush Kristin had handed him, a frown creasing his brow. “Aunt Kristin, why’s mine pink? Pink is for little girls, and I’m a big boy.”

Kristin chuckled at his protest. “Who says pink’s only for girls? Boys can rock pink, too.”

It was then Kristin’s cheeks flushed, realizing Milo had called her… Aunt Kristin.

Rhett suppressed a laugh, quite pleased with the title.

“I want the froggy one,” Milo, soiled at home, pointed at Summer’s froggy brush, yearning for green.

“Milo, you’re a guest in our home, and guests need to mind their manners, not snatch things from their hosts. Got it?” Rhett gently admonished.

12.13

of Rhett Millo nodded and got ready to brush his teeth without

cute, though, Summer whispered.

glistened, hope

over the

Milo decided. “I’ll stick with

their teeth. “Top and bottom, don’t forget, or the cavity critters will get you,” Summer advised, sounding every bit the responsible elder he

not.

sleeve, and they silently withdrew, leaving

timidly, recalling Rhett’s earlier complaints of an upset stomach.

remembered faking

hurried to

least she believed she was of

to speak, his words catching in his

in her side. You have to be careful around her. She’s not like Adrienne. Adrienne’s bad, but at least she’s upfront about

blinked in surprise. Was Rhett warning her about Hertha? Did the same Hertha seen as a

Hertha… she’s quite

on the same team

He’s probably still wary of your alliance with the Haywood family. If you

before. There’s no future for me and Hertha. If there were, you wouldn’t

Rhett stood and ascended the stairs. He was upset.

upset because Kristin was all business, seeing their relationship as nothing more than professional. He knew she had no feelings for him, so he clung to the idea of her needing

had value to her, she wouldn’t leave.

bind Kristin to him, Rhett knew he had to make her fall for him, to make her

tomorrow, he’d spoil her, cater to her every whim,

at the table, Kristin’s

she angered Rhett? She felt so useless.

back her up or a

only she were still a Turner, she wouldn’t

Rhett, even if it meant stepping

consider everything

a move against Rhett, but when Holcomb