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.”

I’m your family and your brother, too. So why can’t you spend my money instead?” Samuel was slightly peeved by then. “Or is it that

always had difficulty winning an

then turned around

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

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

to

into the house, she heard Charles

did you go? I hadn’t heard

had a meal with Gemma and Benjamin,” Kathleen explained. “I even bought

had only a meal with them? That’s still no excuse to return so

that Kathleen was trying

then confessed, “I met with

stairs. “And here I thought it was him

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

will never be his brother. It’ll be asking me

you do somehow enrage him to the point where he no longer wants to be my family, he’ll come pestering me once again.

Charles was rendered speechless.

made

really promise to be his family?” Charles found

“That’s right. You don’t believe it’s

true. But if it’s Samuel,

a way for him to buy more time.

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

Charles pursed his lips.

be the one to pay for

She was not a fool. “You

taken aback

Kathleen marched

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

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

was surprised. The Morris

she scanned through it, Kathleen began to grin

from Felix Morris,” Maria answered. Kathleen immediately placed the

inviting you

between Christopher and me. Now, do you understand what I meant? Nothing was happening between Christopher and me, but in the end, the Morris

a heartbeat. “So should we give Christopher a call

he wants to speak with

you plan on telling them?”

Kathleen had no