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.

kept quiet, not knowing how

you have to spell

not say a

whose side are you on? Am I

Let’s go and eat,”

Kathleen had forgiven

her, Kathleen hung her

meant that they should

she would not hesitate to do so right

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

would continue to make

Kathleen was confused.

do they seem so certain that we won’t get a divorce

I’m still here,” Samuel

treating you like you’re invisible. Samuel, remember that this is your only chance. You won’t get another opportunity if you miss this. If you continue to fool around and be an irresponsible man, I won’t be on your side if Katie really wants a divorce.

Samuel was speechless.

eat. Ignore him.” Wynnie led

alone to frown and sulk. What’s wrong with

table, Wynnie brought up the topic of Frances’ birthday

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

that’s right.” Diana

coming too?” Samuel

Why are you so flustered? We know how to protect Katie better than you. Otherwise, everyone would have known about your marriage by

family was very good at keeping

Kathleen. “Are you

to go?” Kathleen felt a little

family.” Diana took a piece of beef and gave it to

were fixed impassively

sank. “Will

he doesn’t want me to be

How did

crestfallen. She knew she had hit the nail on the

of anger, and her face darkened. “Samuel,

because of your mistress. Now you’re 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 you are now!” Diana bellowed in

and spoiled her

she and Wynnie extended the same affection

been passed down over

should be respectful toward his wife. In the same

been an honorable and

Samuel had never even

that Samuel had gone too far this