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. “Or is it

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

turned

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

it. Instantaneously, the corner of his thin lips arched

back to the

moment she stepped into the house, she

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

Benjamin,” Kathleen explained. “I

a meal with them?

was trying to mislead

confessed, “I

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

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, and so are you. The two of you are brothers henceforth. Please do get along

sarcastically, “Haha! I will never be his brother. It’ll

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 her

you really promise to be his family?” Charles found the

at him. “That’s right. You don’t

do believe that it can be true. But if it’s Samuel,

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

She then spoke with indifference. “Charles, not even I know what Samuel is planning. But, at least, with a deal like this, he

Charles pursed his lips.

would be the one to pay for

“You should learn to

was taken aback by her

marched up

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

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

surprised. The

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

It’s from Felix Morris,” Maria answered.

he inviting

me, but in

in a heartbeat. “So should

go over on my own. It’s obvious that he wants to speak with me alone. So what’s the use of calling Christopher?”

plan on telling them?” Charles

Kathleen had no desire to lie