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.”

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 don’t

had

turned

on it. The egg was round and reminded

of

walked back to the Johnson

she stepped into the

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

meal with Gemma and Benjamin,” Kathleen explained. “I

only a meal with them?

secretly angry, thinking that Kathleen was

then confessed, “I met

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

are only family members. He is something like a brother to me, and so are you. The two of you are brothers

his brother. It’ll be asking me to stoop to

as 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

Charles was rendered speechless.

made her

to be his family?” Charles found the entire notion

at him. “That’s right. You

that it can be true. But if it’s Samuel, I don’t believe it

probably just a way for him to buy more time. I bet

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

Charles pursed his lips.

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

was not a fool. “You should learn to trust in

aback by

Kathleen marched up

actually clever but she doesn’t show it. Some things are better

brought over an invitation. “Ms.

surprised. The

through it, Kathleen began to grin from ear to

Maria answered. Kathleen immediately

he inviting you

do you understand what I meant? Nothing was happening between Christopher and me, but

in a heartbeat. “So should we give

he wants to speak with me

you plan on telling them?” Charles

truth.” Kathleen had no desire