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.”

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

I understand.” Kathleen always had difficulty

turned

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

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

back to the Johnson

into the house, she heard Charles

on his face. “Where did you go?

Gemma and Benjamin,” Kathleen explained.

corner of Charles’ lips twitched. “You had only a meal with them? That’s still no excuse to return

secretly angry, thinking that Kathleen was trying to mislead

confessed, “I met

fell down the stairs. “And here I thought it was him who was pestering

I talked things through with Samuel. From today onward, the two of us are only family members. He is something like a brother

will never be his brother.

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

Charles was rendered speechless.

made her

really promise to be his family?” Charles

at him. “That’s right. You

then I do believe that it can be true. But

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

flatly. She then spoke with indifference. “Charles, not even I know what Samuel is planning. But, at least, with a deal like this, he won’t intervene if we decide to leave one day. Otherwise, once everything is settled, do you honestly believe that he will

Charles pursed his lips.

would be the one to pay for it if Samuel

“You

taken aback by

marched

then let out a deep, long sigh. Perhaps she’s actually clever but she doesn’t show it. Some things are better left unknown. Elsewise, it

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

surprised. The

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

Felix Morris,” Maria answered. Kathleen immediately placed the invitation down. “It’s

he inviting you over?”

what’s going on 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.” There was no readable expression on Kathleen’s clean

“So should we give Christopher a

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

on telling them?”

truth.” Kathleen had no desire to lie