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

“You’ve got the wrong house, buddy,” Summer explained patiently to Liam, rummaging through the kitchen to find something to offer the hungry visitor. “These are my mom’s homemade cookies. They’re super good.”

Liam wolfed down the cookies as if he hadn’t eaten in days.

“Easy there,” Summer said, handing him a glass of chocolate milk.

Liam’s cheeks bulged with cookies as he looked at Summer. “My mom, she’s my mom.”

“But,” Summer’s heart raced with panic. Was this kid trying to claim his mom? “She’s my mom.”

For the first time, Summer felt what it was like to deal with a bully. Why had he even opened the door?

Liam insisted, “She’s my mom.”

“No, she’s not.” Summer denied.

By the time Kristin emerged from the bathroom, her face flushed and cautious, she could hear the wails of the two children from down the hall.

“Summer, what’s wrong?” Kristin rushed forward, nearly tripping over her own feet, but Rhett was right there to catch her, pulling her into his arms.

Rhett frowned as he listened to the crying. He had a bad feeling about this.

Sure enough, when he reached the living room, he recognized the kid from the Lewis family.

“Liam?” Kristin was shocked, her gaze flitting between Liam, Rhett, and Summer. The kids‘ crying even sounded alike.

At the sight of Kristin, Liam dashed over. “Mommy! I love you!”

“Where’s your dad?” Rhett quickly grabbed Liam’s head, not letting him get too close to his wife.

Couldn’t the Lewis family keep track of their own kid?

“I want my mommy!” Liam’s cries grew louder, tugging at Rhett’s heartstrings, so he let go. Was he being too harsh on the kid?

“Shh, it’s okay,” Kristin soothed, pulling Liam into a hug. “Liam, how did you get here?”

“Mommy, I missed you,” Liam sobbed, clinging to her as if afraid she’d disappear.

Summer stood to the side, eyeing Rhett nervously. He was scared someone would take his parents away, but he reminded himself to be brave, not to cry.

Rhett seemed to read Summer’s mind. He knew Summer had faced hardships. With a tender gesture, he pulled Summer close. “He likes your mom because she is nice to him, that’s all.”

Summer clung to Rhett. “Will he take you and Mommy away from me?”

“No way. I’ll call his family to pick him up,” Rhett said, reaching for his phone.

Before Rhett could dial, the doorbell rang.

Peering out, Rhett opened the door with a dark expression. “You guys sure work fast.”

15:14

It was Hanson from next door.

A wave of relief washed over Hanson as he reached for Summer. “The little rascal might’ve overheard me talking about your address.”

Rhett wasn’t pleased with Hanson’s attempt to touch Summer. “Can’t you tell kids apart? This is my boy!”

Hanson froze, then noticed the mix–up. His mood soured at Rhett’s cold reception.

His gaze landed on Kristin in the living room, where Liam was hiding behind her.

Liam tugged at Kristin’s clothes. “Mommy, I want to stay with you. Don’t let Uncle take me away.”

“You guys mistreating the kid over at the Lewis household?” Rhett frowned.

Hanson couldn’t clear his name even if he tried. The Lewis family doted on Liam, which was why he was so spoiled.

“Liam, go home with me. Stop being stubborn,” Hanson said.

“No!” Liam’s tears flowed even harder.

Kristin, feeling torn, whispered, “Mr. Lewis, if you’re not in a rush, maybe Liam could stay with us for a while?”

Rhett could see Kristin genuinely cared for Liam.

“If he stays longer, I’ll arrange for him to go to school with my son,” Rhett backed her up.

Kristin bit her lip in gratitude.

“That’s my mommy…” Summer’s voice trembled, trying to hold back tears.

“It’s not, she’s my mommy!” Liam shouted back.

Summer’s eyes welled up with tears.

“If my son doesn’t agree, I won’t let you stay,” Rhett warned Liam.

Liam cleaned his tears, afraid that Rhett would send him away from his mommy at any moment.

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“Summer.” Kristin tried to comfort her son, not wanting to upset Liam further, caught i

“Rhett, take it easy on the kid, will ya?” Hanson warned with a furrowed brow. “The poor L congenital heart condition. The Lewis clan has been through hell and back to keep him going. He barely made it through his first year.”

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Rhett ran a hand through his hair, a pang of regret for agreeing to take Liam in gnawing at his insides. Lately, he’d been too soft–hearted for his own good.

“I hate you!” Liam glared at Rhett like a cornered animal, his small frame trembling with defiance.

Rhett didn’t care for the kid, and the feeling was mutual.

If Liam hated him so much,.“Then go back with your uncle,” Rhett offered, at a loss for how to handle such a problematic child.

By comparison, Summer was an absolute angel.

What sort of tiny terror had the Lewis family raised?

15:14

“I hate you!” Liam–fearless as a young wolf cub–made his disdain for Rhett abundantly clear. “I don’t wanna leave Mommy.” he then said.

Rhett felt unfairly treated. Why didn’t kids take a shine to him?

Apart from Summer, it seemed like no child took an immediate liking to him.

“Rhett… maybe we could keep him?” Kristin’s voice quivered as she looked at him, the tension palpable.

“This is your home, you call the shots,” Rhett said firmly, his words directed at Hanson as much as they were a statement of his support for Kristin.

It was a warning–stop ogling my wife! She’s not yours to gaze upon; she’s mine!

Hanson’s face visibly soured as he let out a disdainful snort.