All Too Late

Samuel had worn a condom the subsequent few times they slept together. Hence, she did

not see the need in taking the pills.

Yet, a seed had been planted in her womb, and a new life took shape.

“You weren’t around when I was taking my plan B pills the last time,” explained Kathleen

coolly. “I’ll ingest them right now if you still doubt me!”

Kathleen then proceeded to retrieve a box of morning-after pills from the drawer.

The pill had almost reached Kathleen’s lips when Samuel grabbed her hand, disrupting

her. “Fine, I trust you. You haven’t been feeling well lately. Taking these pills might only

cause more harm than good.”

“I hope the future men I meet won’t let me suffer through this, unlike you! All you care

about is your own pleasure regardless of my feelings.”

Samuel was incensed.

Did I truly act irresponsibly? Still, it is true that Kathleen often has to be on Plan B pills.

“Without proper contraceptive measures, would you prefer to be as fecund as a sow?”

countered Samuel.

“If a man were to truly love me, he would certainly have a vasectomy.”

“Dream on. No man would commit such folly.”

“You’re so full of yourself that your opinions are skewed. I swear I’ll prove it to you by

finding a good man for myself.”

“Believe me, Kathleen, when I say that such men are a mere figment of your wishful

imagination,” quibbled Samuel.

How dare she compare me with her imagined good man. What is so bad about me

anyway? Kathleen is given ample money to spend. Besides, her needs and wants, both in

bed and in day-to-day life are well taken care of. What more is there to ask for?

“The good men out there are a dime a dozen. I can’t believe my poor luck to have met the

only bad egg out there.” Kathleen fumed.

“This means that we’re fated then,” replied Samuel slyly.

Kathleen uttered self-mockingly, “As if! Curse my rotten luck. I must have been utterly

blinded!”

Her mind must have been lust-addled to have pined after him for ten years.

Samuel huffed in displeasure.

Kathleen instantly sensed that something was off.

Recently, it seemed that she had inexplicably become more prone to losing her temper.

Based on her research, however, it could be that her mood swings were due to pregnancy

hormonal imbalances.

Kathleen pinched the space between her eyebrows, deflated. “Whatever, I’m going to

bed.”

She then proceeded to flop onto the bed, pull up the covers, and fell asleep.

Samuel grimaced.

The gall of her to instigate my anger then promptly snooze off like nobody’s business. She

would not have dared to do so in the past. When did she become so gutsy?

Kathleen thanked the heavens for her quick wit in switching the birth control pills to

vitamins.

She wouldn’t have proposed to take them right before Samuel otherwise.

Kathleen eventually drifted off and succumbed to sleep.

Samuel’s glacial gaze was pinned on the bottle of birth-control pills.

What an eyesore. Best get rid of it. How am I not a good man?

If a good man was defined by his actions in not allowing her to consume birth-control pills,

then so be it.

He would use a condom from this day forth.

After showering, Samuel lay in bed and turned to his side, taking in the view of Kathleen.

She was as soft and luscious as fresh peach and slept as soundly as an endearing tabby

cat.

How is it possible for such an irresistibly adorable woman to exist? No wonder everyone

seems drawn to her. Especially Christopher. The way he looks at Kathleen does not belong

to that of an ordinary friend.

The mere thought of that did not sit well with Samuel, and he was compelled to wrap

Kathleen in his embrace to soothe his unease.

“Let go of me you scum!” Kathleen shrieked as she struggled to escape from him.

Samuel frowned in dismay at the commotion, but Kathleen was merely sleep-talking.

“Leave me alone. I no longer love you. I’m going to find someone else whom I deserve,”

Kathleen whimpered in her sleep.

Samuel felt a twinge in his chest.

He couldn’t seem to explain why those words made him so queasy.

Yet, there was nothing he could do but bear down on the discomfort.

The day dawned bright the following day.

Kathleen kicked aside her covers in frustration.

My entire body feels so warm!

The room’s temperature was ridiculously high, even after factoring in the fact that the

heater was still running.

Kathleen was drenched in sweat and felt as if she were being burnt alive when the weight

of the covers descended upon her once more.

Kathleen was livid. Who is the annoying fellow?

She was preparing to kick aside her blanket again when she felt her limbs being

restrained.

Her eyes fluttered open to reveal the close-up of a beautifully handsome face.

What in the world is happening here? When did I fall asleep in the arms of Samuel?

A smile tugged on the corner of Samuel’s sensuous lips. “You’re awake.”

Kathleen disengaged herself from him and scooted to the corner of the bed, alarmed.

Some things never change.

She used to instinctively burrow into Samuel’s arms before falling asleep and relished the

feel of warming her icy feet on his thighs.

Samuel had been tolerant of her quirks and never once objected to them.

It turned out old habits were hard to break, even today.

“Excuse me, don’t forget that we’re about to get divorced. For propriety’s sake, could you

please keep your distance and sleep on the couch instead?”

Kathleen would have done so if not for her baby.

“Ladies first.” Samuel scoffed.

“All right then,” said Kathleen with gritted teeth.

The couch was wide enough for one anyway. As long as she kept to her space, it was

unlikely that she’d fall off.

Samuel’s face was drawn into a rictus.

She wouldn’t have acquiesced to sleeping on the couch in the past. What has gotten into

her?