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.”

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

right, I understand.” Kathleen always had difficulty

then turned around

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

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

back to the Johnson

stepped into the house, she heard Charles

did you go?

Gemma and Benjamin,” Kathleen explained. “I even

only a meal with them?

angry, thinking that Kathleen was

then confessed, “I met with

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

relax. I talked things through with Samuel. From today onward, the two of us are only family members. He is something like

never be his brother. It’ll

all that. In the end, if you do somehow enrage him to the point where he no longer wants to be my family, he’ll come pestering me once again. When that happens, I won’t let you off so easily,”

Charles was rendered speechless.

promptly made

promise to be his family?”

“That’s right.

can be true. But if it’s

for him to buy more time. I bet it’s so that he could

Charles 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, do you honestly believe that he will let

Charles pursed his lips.

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

not a fool. “You should learn to trust in

was taken aback by her

Kathleen marched

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

Maria brought over an invitation. “Ms.

surprised. The Morris

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

Felix Morris,” Maria answered. Kathleen immediately placed the invitation down.

is he inviting you

Nothing was happening between Christopher and me, but in the end, the Morris family misread the situation.

awkward in a heartbeat. “So should we give Christopher a call

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

you plan on telling them?” Charles

no desire to