All Too Late

“Well then, when did your affair with Christopher begin?” Samuel asked coldly.

Kathleen leered at him sideways. “Do you truly want to know? Aren’t you afraid of getting triggered?”

“I am,” Samuel answered. His tone was bone-chilling.

“So don’t ask.” Kathleen paused, hesitating. She then continued, “I take a person’s privacy very seriously. Hence, I have no interest in sharing my private life with outsiders.”

Kathleen’s word echoed in Samuel’s mind. Outsiders?

A shadow gradually enshrouded his eyes. She called me family not long ago, but now I’m an outsider?

“It’s done. You can eat now.” Kathleen turned off the fire at the stove.

She then moved the plate of pasta out to the dining room.

Meanwhile, Samuel tried to stamp out the hostility in his eyes, attempting to regain his composure. “Thank you.”

“All right, enjoy your meal. I’m heading home now.” Kathleen removed her apron and got ready to leave.

Samuel paused for a moment, then asked, “Would you stay and talk for a bit?”

Kathleen gazed at him serenely. “I’m going to bed. The face of a female celebrity is of utmost importance. No botox injections can compare to the benefits of beauty sleep.”

Samuel stared at her in return.

Kathleen had spoken calmly without spite. She was merely stating a fact.

It appeared as if she was undeniably treating Samuel as an average family member.

“Okay, then. Goodnight,” Samuel uttered in disbelief.

Nevertheless, there was nothing he could do about it.

He had no other choice. Otherwise, it would be impossible for him to grow closer to Kathleen in his entire lifetime.

When Kathleen approached the doorway, she swiveled around. “Samuel, please revoke my VIP status from the malls.”

Samuel looked at her coldly. “All you need to do is not spend your money there. I’ll stop the subscriptions then.”

“I’ll pay you back next time.” Kathleen desired a clean slate with him.

Samuel glared at her. “Will you be spending Charles’ money?”

“Of course.” Kathleen tipped her head up, then declared proudly, “He’s my brother after all.”

your family and your brother, too. So why can’t you spend my money instead?” Samuel was slightly peeved by then. “Or is it that

right, I understand.” Kathleen always had difficulty winning an argument

turned around and

which had a sunny-side-up egg on it. The egg was

it. Instantaneously, the corner of his thin lips

to the Johnson

she stepped into the house, she heard

face. “Where did you go? I hadn’t heard from

a meal with Gemma and Benjamin,” Kathleen explained. “I even bought you

only a meal with them?

was trying to mislead him with

confessed, “I

I thought it was

two of us are only family members. He is something like a brother to me, and so are you. The two of you are brothers henceforth.

will never be his brother. It’ll be asking me to

to the point where he no longer wants to be my family, he’ll come pestering me once again.

Charles was rendered speechless.

made her way

be his family?” Charles

him. “That’s right.

it can be true. But

way too cunning. His proposal to merely be Kathleen’s family is probably just a way for him to buy more time. I bet it’s so that he

know what Samuel is planning. But, at least, with a deal like this, he won’t intervene if we decide

Charles pursed his lips.

Charles feared that Kathleen would be the one to pay for it if Samuel did end up plaguing

not a fool. “You should learn to trust

was taken aback by

Kathleen marched

slim figure, then let out a deep, long sigh. Perhaps she’s actually clever but she

brought over an invitation. “Ms. Johnson, this is an invitation from

was surprised. The Morris

invitation, then flipped it open. As she scanned through it, Kathleen

Johnson. It’s from Felix Morris,” Maria answered. Kathleen immediately placed the

is he inviting you

between Christopher and me. Now, do you understand what I meant? Nothing was happening between Christopher and me, but in the end, the Morris family misread the situation. They’re making a commotion out of nothing.”

“So

asking me to go over on my own. It’s obvious that he wants to speak with me alone. So what’s the use of calling

do you plan on

truth.” Kathleen had no desire to lie