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.”

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 me? I don’t

had difficulty winning

then turned

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

of it. Instantaneously, the corner of his thin lips arched up ever so slightly. She can never escape from

back to the

stepped into the house, she heard

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

and Benjamin,” Kathleen explained. “I even

had only a meal with them? That’s still no excuse to

that Kathleen was trying to mislead him with

grinned. She then confessed, “I met with

I thought it was him who was pestering

only family members. He is something

be his brother. It’ll be asking me to stoop to his

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

Charles was rendered speechless.

made

his family?” Charles found the entire notion

peered at him. “That’s right. You

be true. But if it’s Samuel, I don’t

more time. I bet it’s so that he could get closer to her.

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,

Charles pursed his lips.

though he was not afraid of Samuel, Charles feared that Kathleen would be the one to pay for it if Samuel did

a fool. “You should learn to

was taken aback

Kathleen marched up

she’s actually clever but she doesn’t show it. Some things are better left unknown. Elsewise, it

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

was surprised. The Morris

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

from Felix Morris,” Maria answered. Kathleen immediately placed

is he inviting you over?” Charles

about 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 face

heartbeat. “So

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

on telling

no desire to