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? I don’t mind

understand.” Kathleen always had difficulty winning an

then turned around

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

of it. Instantaneously, the corner of

to the Johnson

stepped into the house,

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

and Benjamin,” Kathleen explained. “I even bought

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

Kathleen was trying to mislead him

confessed, “I

I

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,

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

all that. In the end, if you do somehow enrage him to the point where he no longer wants to be my

Charles was rendered speechless.

made

really promise to be his family?”

“That’s right. You don’t believe

it can be true. But if it’s Samuel,

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 her. Why is she so

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.

feared that Kathleen would be the one to

not a fool. “You should learn

aback by

Kathleen marched up

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

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

was surprised. The Morris

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

Morris,” Maria answered. Kathleen immediately placed the invitation

he inviting you over?”

happening between Christopher and me, but in the end, the Morris family misread the situation. They’re making a commotion out

heartbeat. “So should we give Christopher a call

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

do you plan on

had no desire