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

always had difficulty winning an argument against

turned around and

which had a sunny-side-up egg on it. The egg was round and

and took a bite of it. Instantaneously, the corner of his thin lips arched up ever so slightly. She can never escape from

back to the Johnson

she stepped into the house, she

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

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

only a meal with

thinking that Kathleen was trying to mislead him

“I met with Samuel as

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

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

brother.

end, if you do somehow enrage him to the point where he

Charles was rendered speechless.

made

to be his family?” Charles

“That’s right. You don’t

it can be true. But if it’s Samuel,

buy more time. I bet it’s so

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

Charles pursed his lips.

would be the one to pay for it if Samuel did

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

aback by her

marched up the

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

having breakfast when Maria brought over an invitation. “Ms. Johnson, this is an invitation from the Morris

surprised. The

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

Felix Morris,” Maria answered. Kathleen immediately

he inviting you over?” Charles

ask about what’s going on between Christopher and me. Now, do you understand what I meant? Nothing was happening between Christopher and me, but in the end, the Morris family misread the situation. They’re making a commotion out of nothing.” There was no readable expression on

a heartbeat. “So should we

go over on my own. It’s obvious that he wants to speak with me alone. So what’s the

what do you plan on telling them?” Charles

truth.” Kathleen had no