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.”

I’m 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 you don’t want to be family with

always had difficulty winning an argument against

turned

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

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

to the Johnson

moment she stepped into the house, she heard Charles

gloomy expression on his face. “Where did you go?

Benjamin,” Kathleen explained. “I even

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

secretly angry, thinking that Kathleen was trying to mislead him

She then confessed, “I met

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

at ease. “Charles, relax. I talked things through with Samuel. From today onward, the 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. Please do get

never be his brother. It’ll be asking

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

Charles was rendered speechless.

promptly made her way

you really promise to be his family?” Charles found the entire notion

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

that it can be true. But if it’s Samuel, I don’t believe it

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

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

Charles pursed his lips.

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

She was not a fool. “You should learn to trust

was taken aback

marched up the

gazed after her slim figure, then let out a deep, long sigh. Perhaps she’s actually clever but she doesn’t show it. Some things are better

breakfast when Maria brought over an invitation. “Ms. Johnson,

surprised. The

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

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

inviting you

what’s going on between Christopher and me. Now, do you understand what I meant? Nothing was happening between Christopher and me, but in

awkward in a heartbeat. “So should we give Christopher

obvious that he wants to speak with me alone. So what’s the use of calling Christopher?”

on telling them?” Charles

Kathleen had no