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.”

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

I understand.” Kathleen always had difficulty winning an argument

turned

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

up his fork and took a bite of it. Instantaneously, the corner of his

back to the Johnson

the house,

“Where did you go? I hadn’t heard from

had a meal with Gemma and Benjamin,” Kathleen explained.

only a meal with them? That’s still no

was trying to mislead him with a

grinned. She then confessed, “I met with

the stairs. “And here I thought

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

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

point where he no longer wants to be

Charles was rendered speechless.

made

to be his family?” Charles found the

“That’s right. You

I do believe that it can be true.

cunning. His proposal to merely be Kathleen’s family is probably just a way for him to buy more time. I bet it’s so that he could get closer to

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. Otherwise, once everything is settled, do

Charles pursed his lips.

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

“You should

was taken aback by her

Kathleen marched

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

an invitation. “Ms.

was surprised. The Morris

open. As she scanned through it, Kathleen

Morris,” Maria answered. Kathleen immediately placed

is he inviting you over?”

meant? Nothing was happening between Christopher and me, but in the end, the

awkward in a heartbeat. “So should we give

go over on my own. It’s obvious that he wants

on telling them?”

truth.” Kathleen had no desire to lie to