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.

not knowing how

you have to

did not say a

are you on?

then. Let’s go and

clearly dissatisfied that Kathleen

her, Kathleen hung

wondered if Diana meant that they should get

she would not hesitate to do so

walked toward the dining room, supported by

“Mom cares for you very much. Even though Samuel is my

would continue to make things difficult for

Kathleen was confused.

they seem so certain that we won’t get a

still here,” Samuel reminded

looked at him with disdain. “I’m 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. In fact, I will pop a bottle of champagne and celebrate that Katie has finally escaped

Samuel was speechless.

Wynnie led Kathleen to the dining

and

brought up the topic of Frances’ birthday dinner,

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?”

are you so flustered? We know how to

was

at Kathleen. “Are you sure you want

go?” Kathleen felt a little

this family.”

eyes were fixed

heart sank. “Will Nicolette be

he doesn’t want me to

looked startled. How did she

Kathleen was crestfallen. She knew she had hit the nail

felt a jolt of anger, and her face darkened.

that you don’t want anyone to know about Katie’s identity 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

had always loved and

her kindly. Likewise, both she and Wynnie extended the same affection

virtue had been passed down over

the

had always been an honorable and

even

had gone too far