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.”

spend my money instead?” Samuel was slightly peeved by then.

I understand.” Kathleen always had

turned around and

which had a sunny-side-up egg on it. The egg was round and reminded him of Kathleen’s

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

walked back to the Johnson

into the house, she heard Charles

his face. “Where did you go? I hadn’t

Gemma and Benjamin,” Kathleen explained.

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

was

then confessed, “I met with Samuel

the stairs. “And here I thought it

two of us are only family members. He

brother. It’ll be asking me to stoop

to the point where he no longer wants to be my family, he’ll

Charles was rendered speechless.

promptly made

really promise to be his family?” Charles found

peered at him. “That’s right. You

do believe that it can be true. But if

proposal to merely be Kathleen’s family is probably just a way for him to buy more time. I

deal like this,

Charles pursed his lips.

be the one to pay for it if Samuel did end up plaguing

“You

aback by her

Kathleen marched up the

slim figure, then let out a deep, long sigh. Perhaps she’s actually clever but she doesn’t show it. Some

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

was surprised. The Morris

it open. As she scanned through it, Kathleen began

Johnson. It’s from Felix Morris,” Maria answered.

inviting you over?”

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.”

awkward in a heartbeat. “So should we give

own. It’s obvious that he wants to speak with me alone.

do you plan on telling them?” Charles was

truth.” Kathleen had no desire to lie to