All Too Late

Kathleen sat down after giving out the presents.

Scowling, Samuel stretched out his hand toward her.

Kathleen looked at him, baffled.

Samuel furrowed his brows. “Where’s mine?”

“I forgot about yours,” Kathleen replied nonchalantly.

Forgot?

Samuel snorted. He was certain that Kathleen had not forgotten; she had simply not gotten him a gift.

She had bought presents for everyone in the family except him.

Diana put on her glasses. “Katie has her principles. Whoever treats her well, she will also be nice to them.”

Both Calvin and Wynnie nodded approvingly.

Samuel scoffed at their response. Don’t I treat her well too? She eats and dresses well. I’ve never mistreated her.

“Where did you get the money from?” an irate Samuel asked.

“It’s a secret for now. Don’t worry; the money’s legit.” Kathleen was unwilling to tell Samuel the truth.

Samuel gave her a sullen glare.

“Samuel, do you still not trust Katie?” Diana was clearly annoyed.

“Let him be. It’s all right if he doesn’t trust her since they’re going to get a divorce soon anyway. He can ask all he wants to now. When they become siblings, he will no longer have the right to question her.” Wynnie took the opportunity to mock her son.

“Why can’t I question her as a sibling?” Samuel felt a flicker of irritation.

“You shouldn’t overstep your boundaries. There are some things you can ask and some things you can’t as an older brother. Besides, we are your elders. We are more entitled than you to receive the presents,” Wynnie replied unemotionally.

Scoffing, Samuel retorted, “Who says we are getting a divorce?”

“You don’t want a divorce? Well, too bad. Katie wants to divorce you,” Wynnie shot back.

“You can ask her yourself whether we’re getting a divorce.” Samuel turned to look at Kathleen.

Diana’s brows drew together in a frown. “Katie, what’s going on?”

“Grandma, I’ve discussed this with Samuel. We agreed to have a cooling period for a month. If we decide that we don’t want to stay together after one month is up, we’ll get a divorce,” Kathleen explained.

“You must have been too soft-hearted and agreed to whatever he wanted, didn’t you?” Diana guessed.

quiet, not knowing how to

do you have to spell

did not say a

whose side are you on? Am I even your

Let’s go and eat,” Diana

dissatisfied that Kathleen had

always doted on her, Kathleen hung her head guiltily like she had committed a grave

wondered if Diana meant that they

Diana’s wish, she would not hesitate to do

stood up and walked toward the dining room, supported

to Kathleen and placed her arm over the latter’s shoulder. “Mom cares for you very much. Even though Samuel is my son, I also think that you’re letting

Samuel would continue to

Kathleen was confused.

certain that we won’t get a divorce

here,” Samuel

be an irresponsible man, I won’t be on your side if Katie really wants a divorce. In fact, I will pop a bottle of champagne and celebrate that Katie has finally escaped the clutches of

Samuel was speechless.

him.” Wynnie led Kathleen to

to frown and sulk. What’s wrong

Wynnie brought up the topic of Frances’ birthday dinner, which was to be

Yoeger family that the five of us will be attending the birthday dinner. I didn’t tell them Kathleen is Samuel’s wife. I said

that’s right.”

Kathleen coming too?”

how to protect Katie better than you. Otherwise, everyone would

family was very good at keeping

“Are you sure you

allowed to go?” Kathleen felt a

him. He doesn’t call the shots in this family.” Diana took

eyes were fixed

heart sank. “Will Nicolette be there

why he doesn’t want me to be present at the birthday

looked startled. How

knew she had hit the nail on

of anger, and her face darkened. “Samuel,

refusing to let her attend the birthday dinner too? Who do you think we Macaris are? Since your grandfather’s time, the men in the Macari family have always been righteous, filial, and respectful to their spouses! They have never done anything as absurd as

had always loved and spoiled her after they

both she and Wynnie extended

virtue had been passed down over

toward his wife. In the same way, a

always been an honorable and peaceful

even seen

that Samuel had gone