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

I understand.” Kathleen always had difficulty winning an argument against

then turned around

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

corner of his thin lips arched up ever so slightly. She can never escape

back to the Johnson

the house, she heard Charles

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

with Gemma and Benjamin,” Kathleen explained.

a meal with them?

was secretly angry, thinking that Kathleen was trying

then confessed, “I

I thought

Kathleen felt 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

be his brother.

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

Charles was rendered speechless.

made her

his family?” Charles found

at him. “That’s right. You

be true. But if

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

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.

Charles pursed his lips.

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

She was not a fool. “You

was taken aback by

marched up

her slim 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 would be

over an invitation.

was surprised. The

she scanned through it, Kathleen began to grin from ear

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

he inviting you over?” Charles

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

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

wants to speak with me alone. So what’s the use

what do you plan on telling them?” Charles

had no desire