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

have to spell it

did not say

whose side are you on? Am

Let’s go and eat,” Diana said

Kathleen

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

Diana meant that they

would not hesitate to do

up and walked toward

and placed her arm over the latter’s shoulder. “Mom cares for you very

would continue to make things

Kathleen was confused.

do they seem so certain that we won’t get

here,” Samuel reminded

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

Samuel was speechless.

Ignore him.” Wynnie led

to frown and sulk.

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

the birthday dinner. I didn’t tell them Kathleen

right.”

coming

know how to protect

Macari family was very good at keeping

“Are you sure

I not allowed to go?” Kathleen felt a

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

fixed

“Will Nicolette

doesn’t want me to be present at the

How did she guess

was crestfallen. She knew she had

felt a jolt of anger, and her face darkened. “Samuel,

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

and

and

been passed down over the

should be respectful toward his wife. In the

had always been an

never even seen Calvin

that Samuel had gone