Christopher took Kathleen home and drove her to the mansionâs entrance.
âWeâve reached your house,â Christopher said warmly.
Kathleen glanced at the white building outside his car window and said, âThank you for taking me home, Chris.â
âThere really is no need for thanks, Kate. Itâs okay.â Christopher disliked how Kathleen was being distant from him.
Despite that, he knew if he confessed to her, she would certainly reject him.
âIâll get going then.â Kathleen pushed the car door open and got out of the car.
Christopher stared blankly at Kathleenâs slim figure as she disappeared from his sight.
Maybe I should give her more time and not force her to make a decision now.
Once Kathleen entered her house, Charles descended the stairs.
âDid you have fun?â he asked in concern.
Kathleen shook her head. âI bumped into Samuel.â
âWhat is he doing there?â Charles walked and stood in front of Kathleen.
âIt was nothing. He wanted me to visit Grandma,â Kathleen answered and pursed her lips. âI know that!
But I just came back home today. Iâll visit her. Itâs just a matter of time. Whatâs the rush, geez.â
Charles knew that Kathleen treated and loved Diana like her own grandmother.
âWhen will you visit her? Iâll go with you,â Charles said.
âIâll go tomorrow,â Kathleen answered after contemplating. âAnyway, I think Samuel would assume Iâll visit her several days later, but I want to catch him off guard by visiting Grandma earlier.â
Charles smiled faintly. âOkay, Iâll prepare the gifts then.â
âDonât get anything thatâs too lavish or expensive, otherwise sheâll think weâre not being sincere enough,â
Kathleen said before adding, âI think Iâd better prepare the gifts myself. I know what she likes best, after all.â
Charles chuckled. âYou donât trust me, your own brother?â
Kathleen snorted.
âDonât worry. I know what to do,â Charles said with a slight laugh. âJust go and rest.â
âIf you say so.â Kathleen nodded and climbed up the stairs with her high heels on.
Charles withdrew his gaze. A hint of coldness glinted in his eyes.
Samuel is such a pest!
The next day, Kathleen and Charles visited Diana in the Macari residence.
For the past year, Kathleen frequently stayed in touch with Diana.
However, they never met face to face.
When Kathleen arrived at the Macari residence, everyone was glad to see her.
After all, Kathleen had lived in the Macari residence for a few years. Moreover, she was kind, so everyone loved her.
Everyone had missed her for the past year.
âGrandma!â When Kathleen saw Diana, she ran over and hugged the older woman.
Diana had recovered well in this past year.
Now, she could get down from her bed and walk around on her own.
âOh, my sweet little Katie is here! Haha!â Diana exclaimed in joy.
âGrandma, Iâm back. Iâm sorry for worrying you for this past year,â Kathleen said sadly as if blaming herself.
âSilly girl, itâs not your fault. Weâre the ones who let you down,â Diana said as she patted Kathleenâs head. âCome here and sit with me.â
Then, Kathleen released Diana. With a slight laugh, the former introduced her brother. âGrandma, let me introduce you to Charles. This is Charles Johnson, my elder brother.â
Diana was a little shocked. âYour brother?â
Charles took a step forward. âNice to meet you, Old Mrs. Macari. Iâm Kateâs elder brother, Charles Johnson.â
âYou have a brother?â Diana asked quizzically.
âYes.â Kathleen nodded and continued, âActually, we lost my brother when he was born. He was passed through many hands before he was sold off overseas. We only reunited with him last year.â
âMy goodness,â Diana exclaimed and looked at Charles with pity. âPoor boy, youâve really suffered. Come here and sit.â
Holding Charlesâ hand, Diana and the pair of siblings sat down.
Diana scrutinized Charlesâ face and nodded. âYou have your fatherâs eyes.â
âGrandma, my brother and I had already done our DNA test,â Kathleen explained, grinning.
Diana nodded. âThatâs good, but itâs truly a miracle.â
âI heard it from my parents when I was young. They believed that my brother had passed away. Every time he was mentioned, my mom would cry, so everyone was careful not to talk about him anymore because they were afraid that my mom would cry herself ragged,â Kathleen continued to explain.
âThis is natural. Since youâre Katieâs brother, then Charles, you are also my dearest grandson. From now on, Iâll love you too,â Diana said with a twinkle in her eyes.
âThank you, Grandma.â Charles smiled too. It seemed that Diana was an easy person to get along with.
âMaria, please call Calvin and Wynnie. I want them to come back for lunch.â Diana was delighted. âWeâll have a family lunch!â she exclaimed.
Although she had said it was a family lunch, she did not invite Samuel.
At that instant, Kathleen knew that Diana had her best interests in mind.
Despite that, she only hoped to be able to get along with her former husband.
This could only work if Samuel was willing.
âYes, Old Mrs. Macari,â Maria said with a smile. âIâll prepare something Mrsâ¦. Ms. Johnson likes.â
Smiling, Kathleen did not mind Mariaâs mistake. Honestly, Maria was not the only one that needed to become accustomed to Kathleenâs new identity, for Kathleen herself needed to get used to it as well.
Maria glanced outside the window. âOld Mrs. Macari, Mr. Samuel is back.â
âWhat?â Diana panicked.
Why is that little brat back now?
âGrandma, itâs okay,â Kathleen said as she clasped her hands around Dianaâs hand. âItâs really okay.
Weâve agreed that weâll treat each other like siblings when we divorced.â
Dianaâs other hand gripped Kathleenâs hand in return. Her hand is so cold! She really doesnât want to meet Samuel. Look how much that little brat must have scared her!
As they were chatting, Samuel entered the house.
His almond-shaped eyes narrowed when he saw the trio in the living room.
âWhy are you here?â Diana said, her disapproval being written all over her face.
âDocuments,â Samuel said expressionlessly before adding, âI left them here yesterday.â
âHmph!â Diana scoffed.
Kathleen was a little surprised. Is Samuel living in the Macari residence? I thought he lived at Florinia Manor.
Florinia Manor was the mansion Samuel currently lived in.
The man shot a glance at Kathleen.
Today, she wore a rose-red sweater and a black umbrella skirt. She looked cute yet dignified.
On the other hand, Charles was dressed in a formal black suit and white shirt, making him look like an elite. However, his gaze had a wild look to it.
âLeave when youâve gotten your document,â Diana urged Samuel unhappily.
âMm,â Samuel hummed in agreement, but he looked slightly gloomy.
Pursing her lips, Kathleen glanced at him and then at Diana.
Samuel turned and went up the stairs for his document.
âGrandma, does Samuel always live here?â Kathleen asked in curiosity.
âSometimes,â Diana answered.
Kathleen nodded.
At this moment, Samuel descended the stairs with a document in his hand.
âIâll get going now,â he said, looking at Diana.
However, Diana ignored him and stayed silent.
Expressionless, he strode with large steps to the entrance.
Before he could leave, Kathleen stood up and called out to him, âSamuel.â
He halted his steps abruptly, turned around, and walked toward her.
Stunned, Kathleen took two steps back instinctively.
âHey, Mr. Macari. Donât you know you have to keep a safe social distance?â Charles exclaimed in annoyance.
Why does he have to walk all the way over here? My sister only called out to him. He could have just stood there and answered.
âLooking someone in the eye and talking with the person face to face is the polite way of interaction.â
Then, Samuel looked at Kathleen before saying gently, âWhat is it?â
Kathleen was a bit nervous as she was not used to talking to him with him so near her. Nonetheless, she invited, âCome and have lunch with us.â
Next Chapter
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