All Too Late

Kathleen sat down after giving out the presents.

Scowling, Samuel stretched out his hand toward her.

Kathleen looked at him, baffled.

Samuel furrowed his brows. “Where’s mine?”

“I forgot about yours,” Kathleen replied nonchalantly.

Forgot?

Samuel snorted. He was certain that Kathleen had not forgotten; she had simply not gotten him a gift.

She had bought presents for everyone in the family except him.

Diana put on her glasses. “Katie has her principles. Whoever treats her well, she will also be nice to them.”

Both Calvin and Wynnie nodded approvingly.

Samuel scoffed at their response. Don’t I treat her well too? She eats and dresses well. I’ve never mistreated her.

“Where did you get the money from?” an irate Samuel asked.

“It’s a secret for now. Don’t worry; the money’s legit.” Kathleen was unwilling to tell Samuel the truth.

Samuel gave her a sullen glare.

“Samuel, do you still not trust Katie?” Diana was clearly annoyed.

“Let him be. It’s all right if he doesn’t trust her since they’re going to get a divorce soon anyway. He can ask all he wants to now. When they become siblings, he will no longer have the right to question her.” Wynnie took the opportunity to mock her son.

“Why can’t I question her as a sibling?” Samuel felt a flicker of irritation.

“You shouldn’t overstep your boundaries. There are some things you can ask and some things you can’t as an older brother. Besides, we are your elders. We are more entitled than you to receive the presents,” Wynnie replied unemotionally.

Scoffing, Samuel retorted, “Who says we are getting a divorce?”

“You don’t want a divorce? Well, too bad. Katie wants to divorce you,” Wynnie shot back.

“You can ask her yourself whether we’re getting a divorce.” Samuel turned to look at Kathleen.

Diana’s brows drew together in a frown. “Katie, what’s going on?”

“Grandma, I’ve discussed this with Samuel. We agreed to have a cooling period for a month. If we decide that we don’t want to stay together after one month is up, we’ll get a divorce,” Kathleen explained.

“You must have been too soft-hearted and agreed to whatever he wanted, didn’t you?” Diana guessed.

not knowing

do you have

say a word

whose side are you on?

right then. Let’s go

was clearly dissatisfied that Kathleen

Diana had always doted on her, Kathleen hung her head guiltily like she had committed a grave

that they should

this was truly Diana’s wish, she would

toward the

to Kathleen and placed her arm over the latter’s shoulder. “Mom cares for you very much. Even though Samuel is

concerned that Samuel would continue to make things difficult

Kathleen was confused.

seem so certain that we won’t

here,” Samuel reminded

your only chance. You won’t get another opportunity if you miss this. If you continue to fool around and be an irresponsible man, I won’t be on your side if Katie really wants a divorce. In fact, I will pop a bottle of champagne and celebrate that Katie has finally escaped the clutches

Samuel was speechless.

Ignore him.” Wynnie

alone to frown and sulk. What’s wrong with

Frances’

the five of us will be attending the birthday dinner. I didn’t tell them

that’s right.” Diana

coming

so flustered? We know how to protect Katie better than you. Otherwise, everyone would have known about your marriage by now,” Wynnie

family was very

at Kathleen. “Are

I not allowed to go?” Kathleen felt a little

listen to him. He doesn’t call the shots in this family.” Diana took

were fixed impassively on

heart sank. “Will

me to be present at the birthday

looked startled. How did she

She knew she had hit the nail on the

felt a jolt of anger, and her face darkened. “Samuel, you’re

mistress. Now you’re refusing to let her attend the birthday dinner too? Who do you think we Macaris are? Since your grandfather’s time, the men in the Macari family have always been righteous, filial, and respectful to their spouses! They have never done anything as absurd

loved and spoiled her after

kindly. Likewise, both she and Wynnie extended the

passed

respectful toward his wife. In the same way, a wife

always been an honorable

had never even seen Calvin and Wynnie

Diana felt that Samuel had gone too