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

do you have to spell it

say a word

on?

right then. Let’s go and

Kathleen had

always doted on her, Kathleen hung her head guiltily like

meant that they

she would not hesitate to do so right

walked toward the dining room,

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 him off

concerned that Samuel would continue to make things difficult

Kathleen was confused.

certain that we

here,” Samuel

be an irresponsible man, I

Samuel was speechless.

Wynnie led

and

Frances’ birthday dinner, which was to be held the

be attending the birthday dinner. I didn’t tell them Kathleen is Samuel’s wife. I said

right.” Diana

Kathleen coming

know how to protect Katie better than you. Otherwise, everyone would have known about your

was very good at keeping

looked coldly at Kathleen. “Are

to go?” Kathleen

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

fixed

sank. “Will Nicolette

he doesn’t want me to be present at

startled. How did

She knew she had hit the

anger, and her face darkened.

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

loved and spoiled

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

had been passed down

In the same way, a wife should

had always been an honorable

fact, Samuel had never even

Samuel had