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.”

peeved by then.

understand.” Kathleen always had

turned around and

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

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

to

she stepped into the house, she heard

“Where did you go?

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

“You had only a meal with

was secretly angry, thinking that Kathleen was trying to mislead him with

confessed, “I met with

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

are only family members.

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

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.

promptly made her way

be his family?” Charles

peered at him. “That’s right. You don’t believe it’s

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

man is 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 could get closer to

Samuel is planning. But, at least, with a deal like this, he won’t intervene

Charles pursed his lips.

Kathleen would be

“You should learn to

taken aback

marched up the

a deep, long sigh. Perhaps she’s actually clever but she doesn’t show it. Some things are better

Kathleen was having breakfast when Maria brought over an invitation. “Ms.

surprised. The

open. As she scanned through it, Kathleen began to grin from ear

It’s from Felix Morris,” Maria answered.

inviting you over?” Charles

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

a heartbeat. “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

what do you plan on telling

truth.” Kathleen had no desire to lie to