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

got ready to brush his teeth without further

Summer whispered. “Want to exchange?”

glistened, hope

over the froggy brush.

moment’s thought, Milo decided. “I’ll stick with the piggy. Piggies are

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

not.

out of the bathroom, clutching Rhett’s sleeve, and they silently withdrew, leaving the youngsters to

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

Rhett remembered faking discomfort to dodge dinner.

smile as she hurried to the kitchen to dish out the

least she believed she was of

speak, his words catching in his throat. Kristin sat beside him, quiet as a

a thorn 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 it. Some people

as a pure jasmine flower by

Hertha… she’s quite capable,” Kristin

be helpful if she were on the same team as Rhett. A marriage alliance between their families wouldn’t be entirely without

has been laying low, hard to read. He’s probably still wary of your alliance with the Haywood family. If you and Hertha

I’ve said it before. There’s no future for me and Hertha. If there were,

and ascended

she had no feelings for him, so he clung to the idea of her needing him, of having a purpose

he had value to her, she wouldn’t leave.

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

her every whim, and

alone at the table, Kristin’s eyes

she angered Rhett? She

back her up or a spotless reputation.

Turner, she

Rhett,

to consider everything for Rhett’s

Rhett, but when Holcomb did, Kristin would be helpless, no matter how