Alice''s heart sank when she read Monica''s message. It wasced with innuendo: "Jason, I''m at your door. Forgot the lock code. When are you back?" The contact name in Jason''s phone "My favorite Monica"-was one Monica had cheekily set herself. Jason hadn''t bothered to change it.


    That nickname was like a punch to Alice''s gut.


    "Mom, what''s the message about?" I, her curiosity piqued, asked.


    "It''s nothing. And don''t you say a word about it to your Dad Jason," Alice said, her voice sharper than she''d intended. "Now, finish your soup."


    "Okay." I could tell her mom was upset and quietly went back to her soup.


    Meanwhile, Monica, not getting any response, decided to call. Alice quickly silenced her phone, not daring to answer. Once Monica hung up, Alice swiftly deleted the missed call log. Alice was fuming. The nickname and her intuition both screamed that Monica and Jason were involved. But she wasn''t about to let go without a fight.


    "I, if that calles again, don''t answer it. Just ignore it, alright? And definitely don''t tell your Dad Jason," Alice instructed. "If you want Jason to really be your dad, you''ll listen to me." "Mom, is Dad Jason seeing someone?"


    Kids these days were sharp, picking up on things faster than you''d expect.


    "Just remember what I said," Alice replied, handing her phone back to her daughter before returning to the family dinner.


    Alice knew she had to act fast-Jason had been drinking, and alcohol was a notorious inhibitor of good judgment.


    She pulled her friend Molly aside and quietly hatched a n. Molly was to discreetly suggest to Dan, their close friend, to keep Jason''s ss full, ensuring he wouldn''t be able to leave. Men could linger over dinner and drinks for hours, especially when the booze was flowing.


    Dan, known for his high tolerance and endless chatter, kept Jason entertained and drinking for hours.


    After a bottle of whiskey, Jason, who was not a regr drinker, was clearly intoxicated, his face flushed.


    Molly gave Alice a signal: "Jason''s had too much. He won''t be going anywhere tonight. Get the guest room ready; he''ll have to crash here."


    That was exactly what Alice had nned. "Got it, Mom. I''m on it," she said, moving to prepare a bed for Jason.


    As the evening dragged on, Monica waited in vain outside Jason''s house, her calls unanswered, her messages ignored. Annoyed, she left around nine.


    Jason, overwhelmed by the alcohol, said to Dan, "Uncle, I can''t take another drop. Maybe we should call it a night."


    Dan, tipsy from the whiskey, grasped Jason''s hand. "Jason, since Will died, your Aunt and I have thought of you like a son. Why not make it official and marry Alice? I needs a dad, and you two seem perfect together. We''re not stuck in the past. I think you and Alice would make a great couple. What do you say?"


    Jason quickly responded, "Uncle, you''re drunk. Alice will always be Will''s wife to me. There''s nothing between us."


    "What, you think Alice isn''t good enough for you?" Dan persisted, "Now that you''re moving up in your career, do you look down on her? Jason, let me tell you, Alice is kind and caring, and she''s beautiful. After Will''s death, she''s been our rock. We''d feel at peace knowing she''s with you."


    "Uncle, it''s not about being good enough. You''re going too far. Love needs to be mutual. I appreciate how much you care for me, and I''m sorry about Will. I''ll take care of you and Auntie as if you were my own parents, for the rest of your lives," Jason promised. "If you really want to honor us, marry Alice," Dan insisted, the alcohol fueling his determination. "Our family would beplete. We''d have a son, and I would have a dad."