Jason''s ears perked up, catching Monica''s words. "Aren''t you girls all about equality these days?" he teased.


    Monica just sighed, choosing to focus on the road.


    As they drove along, Jason broke the silence. "How did things go with that guy from the dating app?"


    Monica shrugged with a wry smile. "Total disaster. He was such a mama''s boy. Can you believe it? Always running everything by his mom. Hard pass for me." Jason raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Didn''t you say you wouldn''t consider anyone over 22?"


    "Sometimes you''ve got to be flexible," Monica chuckled awkwardly. "With the holidays around the corner, blind dates are in full swing. I''m booked till New Year''s." "Nobody caught your eye?"


    "Not exactly," Monica replied. "There''s this one guy who''s pretty decent. He''s twenty-two, just graduated,es from a well-off family with a couple of properties and a jewelry shop. Plus, he''s an only child. My mom thinks marrying him would be a win." "When''s the meet-up?" Jason asked.


    "New Year''s Day. He''s abroad right now,ing back for the holidays."


    "Sounds like you''re busy."


    "Speaking of which, Jason, has your family tried setting you up for the holidays?" Monica asked casually. "You''re not getting any younger. Maybe it''s time to think about settling down?"


    "I''m not into blind dates," Jason said. "Finding someone to share your life with isn''t a transaction. It''s about connection and fate."


    Monica felt a slight sting in his words, sensing a critique of her practicality.


    She let it slide, driving on in silence until they reached Jason''s apartmentplex.


    Just as he was about to speak, Monica spotted someone. "Looks like your queen Anastasia is here."


    At the entrance, Alisa stood with a little girl, I, by her side.


    Jason frowned slightly, then stepped out of the car, saying to Monica, "Take care."


    "Later," Monica said, driving off as Jason approached Alisa and I.


    I beamed, calling out, "Uncle Jason!"


    "You''re such a good girl, I," Jason said, patting her head before turning to Alisa. "What''s up, Anastasia?"


    "I missed you," Alisa said, ying the caring mother card. "We haven''t eaten yet. I brought groceries."


    Feeling a sense of duty towards his fallenrade, Will, Jason had always supported Alisa and I, stepping in as a father figure when needed, so I wouldn''t feel left out.


    Back at Jason''s ce, Alisa busied herself in the kitchen while Jason helped I with her homework. Their interaction was heartwarming, like a real family.


    From the kitchen, Alisa watched them, her affection for Jason growing. Knowing about Monica, she''d been making her presence felt more around Jason, using I as an excuse.


    In her heart, Alisa envisioned them as an inseparable trio, beyond the reach of any outsider.


    Dinner was ready, a spread of three dishes and a soup. "Jason, I, let''s eat," Alisa called out.


    I, her homework done, eximed, "Smells delicious! Mom''s cooking is the best, right Uncle Jason?"


    Jason smiled in agreement.


    Then, with childlike innocence, I asked, "Uncle Jason, can mom cook for you every day? I want us to eat together every day, like a real family. And... can you be my dad? Then I won''t have to be jealous of my ssmates anymore." Alisa''s face flushed with surprise and hope at her daughter''s words, clearly sharing simr feelings for Jason.


    Jason''s gaze shifted between I and Alisa, the weight of the moment sinking in.


    I''s plea, tinged with the sadness of being fatherless, hit Jason hard. Her biological father, Will, had died saving Jason, leaving a void in I''s life that Jason felt responsible for.


    Alisa, tears in her eyes, apologized to I for not providing aplete family, her voice breaking with guilt.


    Jason was caught in a turmoil of guilt and realization, understanding the depth of Alisa''s feelings for the first time.