Stand In For My Sister As Mrs. Weston Chapter 16
A full-grown man of imposing height was crying like a child.
“Kim, I’m sorry, I’m sorry…”
He was sobbing too hard to speak, repeating those three words over and over again.
Right after that, Darla crawled over as well, dropped to her knees at my feet, wrapped her arms around my legs, and confessed her own meanness and stupidity.
“Kim, it’s my fault. I was blind and stupid. Hit me, scold me!”
The three children also came running over in tears and clung to me tightly.
“Mom, we were wrong. Don’t leave!”
“Mom, you’re our real mom!”
I looked at this scene in front of me — absurd, yet undeniably real.
My husband kneeling on the floor, my mother-in-law in floods of tears, my children holding me with all their strength.
I had fulfilled my sister’s last wish and protected her home.
But where was my own road supposed to lead?
I was Kimberly.
I was no one’s substitute.
I looked at Raymond kneeling before me, his face streaked with tears, and my mind went blank.
Forgive them?
And then stay in this home that was already covered in scars?
I didn’t know.
In the end, I didn’t choose to leave.
Not because they knelt and repented.
It was because when the children cried as they held onto me and called me “Mom,” there was a bond in my heart that I simply couldn’t sever.
But I didn’t forgive them that easily, either.
Raymond proved his remorse with actions.
At the first opportunity, he paid off the $100,000 debt and transferred an additional $600,000 to my card as compensation.
I didn’t refuse.
I deserved it.
Then, he unconditionally transferred half the shares of his company into my name.
He said, “Kim, you’re the head of this household.”
He even solemnly established a set of “new house rules” in front of the whole family.
The first rule was: the wife, Kimberly, was the highest decision-maker in this home and held absolute authority.
Darla seemed like a different person, too.
She put away all her sharpness and scheming, cooked something delicious for me in a new way every day, fussed over me, and treated me even better than my own mother did.
I knew she was truly frightened — and truly regretful.
As for the children, they used the most straightforward way they knew to show me their love.
Trevor’s grades skyrocketed, and he became first in the grade.
Jessie’s paintings won an award in the city.
Jimmie was no longer that tantrum-throwing little hellion; he became sensible and polite.
They said they wanted me to be proud of them.
This broken family, under my tough-as-nails overhaul and gentle protection, was repaired and reassembled little by little.
Half a year later, with the money Raymond gave me plus the dividends from my shares, I opened my own — the largest fresh-food supermarket in the city center.
On opening day, Raymond came with the kids, and Jack and Darla came too, to cut the ribbon for me.
He stood beside me, looking at me, his eyes filled with an affection and pride that wouldn’t melt away.
“Honey, you’re amazing.”
I smiled.
In the sunlight, my smile was brighter than the sun itself.
In the end, I was moved by this family’s sincerity and chose to stay.
No longer as my sister’s “stand-in.”
But as “Kimberly” — the true mistress of this home.
I not only saved my sister’s home, but also won for myself a brand-new, happy life.
This time, we were a real family.
