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.”

money instead?” Samuel was slightly peeved by then. “Or is it that you don’t want to be family with me?

right, I understand.” Kathleen always had difficulty

turned around and

stared at his plate, which had a sunny-side-up egg on it. The egg was

up his fork and took a bite of it. Instantaneously, the corner of his thin lips arched up ever so slightly.

back to

she stepped into the house,

did you go? I hadn’t heard from

meal with Gemma and Benjamin,”

twitched. “You had only a meal with them? That’s still no excuse

Kathleen was trying to mislead him with a

“I met with Samuel as

nearly fell down the stairs. “And here I thought it

Kathleen felt at ease. “Charles, relax. I talked things through with Samuel. From today onward, the two of us are only family members. He is something

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

be bothered to care about all that. In the end, if you do somehow enrage him to the point where he no longer wants to be my family, he’ll come pestering me once again. When that happens, I won’t let you off so

Charles was rendered speechless.

promptly made her

his family?” Charles found the entire

at him. “That’s right.

then I do believe that it can be true. But if it’s

probably just a way for him to buy more time. I bet it’s so that he could get closer to her. Why

a deal like this, he won’t intervene if

Charles pursed his lips.

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

was not a fool. “You should learn to

aback by

Kathleen marched

a deep, long sigh. Perhaps she’s actually clever but she

next morning, Kathleen was having breakfast when Maria brought over an invitation. “Ms. Johnson, this

surprised.

took the invitation, then flipped it open. As she scanned through it, Kathleen began to grin from ear to ear. “This is from

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

inviting you

but

a heartbeat. “So should we give Christopher a call

It’s obvious that he wants to speak with me alone. So what’s the use

do you plan on telling

had no desire to lie