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.”

my money instead?” Samuel was slightly peeved by then. “Or is it that you don’t

always had difficulty

then turned around

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

bite of it. Instantaneously, the corner of his thin lips arched up ever so slightly. She can

to the

into the house, she heard Charles

expression on his face. “Where did you go? I hadn’t

and Benjamin,” Kathleen explained.

lips twitched. “You had only a meal with them? That’s

that Kathleen was trying to mislead him

then confessed, “I

here I thought it was him who was pestering

“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.

“Haha! I will never be his brother. It’ll be asking me

you please then. I can’t be bothered to care about 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

Charles was rendered speechless.

promptly made her

really promise to be his family?” Charles found

right. You

it can be true. But if it’s Samuel, I don’t believe it at all.” Charles

to buy more time. I bet it’s

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

Charles pursed his lips.

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

sighed. She was not a fool. “You should learn

aback

Kathleen marched up the

figure, then let out a deep, long sigh. Perhaps she’s actually clever but she doesn’t show it. Some things are better left unknown. Elsewise, it

morning, Kathleen was having breakfast when Maria brought over an invitation. “Ms. Johnson, this is an invitation from

was surprised.

open. As she scanned through it,

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

is he inviting you over?” Charles

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

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

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 them?” Charles

no desire to lie to