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The Hospital.
Inside Bianca's Office.
Bianca looked at her mom and dad with a very complicated expression. She desperately wanted to ask what the hell they were doing at Dex Restaurant earlier, but she had to pretend she didn't know anything. It was agonizing.
"Bianca, what's the deal with this boyfriend of yours? Why all the mystery? Can't we just meet him?" Marianne asked. Ironically, she also had to pretend she hadn't just eaten at the restaurant.
"We haven't been dating that long. Why do you need to meet him?" Bianca said helplessly.
"Not that long? Feels like it's been a while," Ted frowned, pushing a little.
For a moment, the family of three engaged in an Oscar-worthy acting showdown, going back and forth. It was quite a scene.
After a while, seeing that Bianca refused to budge—and considering she was still on the clock—Marianne decided to retreat for now. They could talk after she got off work.
"How about this? Give me the keys to your apartment. Your father and I will go tidy up for you while you work. We can grab dinner tonight."
Hearing this, Ted had a brainwave. "I heard there's a Chinese restaurant with amazing food. We could go there tonight."
Bianca: "????"
Marianne: "..."
Bianca felt her head swelling to twice its size. She suddenly realized her dad was full of terrible ideas.
She had no choice.
Bianca quickly shook her head at them. "Mom, my place doesn't need cleaning. It's spotless. And Dad, no dinner. I'm swamped. Let's do it another day. You guys should just head back..."
Another round of tug-of-war ensued.
Finally, they reached a compromise.
Bianca didn't hand over her apartment keys, but she did agree to dinner. Just not at Dex Restaurant.
Ted and Marianne left the hospital for the time being.
Once in the car.
Marianne looked thoughtfully at the hospital building and gave a faint smile.
Women understand women.
As her mother, Marianne knew Bianca too well.
"Bianca definitely isn't living in that apartment anymore," Marianne said suddenly, smiling.
Ted was confused. "She's living with Dexter?"
Marianne's smile widened. "Ten to one says yes."
"..." Ted started to panic. "Then why didn't you insist on meeting him? If they're living together, we have to meet him."
"Don't you know your own daughter?" Marianne laughed. "If she doesn't want to, what can I do? Forget it, there's no rush. She looks happy, and that's enough."
Ted: "..."
Marianne chuckled. "Did you notice that necklace she was wearing? I'm guessing Dexter gave that to her."
Ted hadn't noticed at all.
Marianne didn't care; she found the whole thing amusing. "At dinner, I'm going to tease her a bit. I want to see how long she can keep this up."
"???" Ted was speechless. "Why do I get the feeling you're enjoying this?"
"I am happy. Our daughter is getting older. She never dates, never talks about marriage, just works all day. Now, finally, there's something happening. Why wouldn't I be happy?" Marianne replied.
Ted thought about it and couldn't argue.
Bianca really wasn't getting any younger...
Sigh. Being a father to a daughter meant endless worrying. It was tough.
Back inside.
Bianca had a headache. She sighed and sent a text to Dexter.
[Don't pick me up tonight. I have to have dinner with two relatives. I'll go back by myself after.]
Dexter read it and grinned. He decided to poke the bear.
[Relatives are in town? Do you need me to keep you company?]
Bianca replied instantly: [No! Definitely not. These two relatives are super annoying. You wouldn't like them.]
Haha. Comrade Bianca is too funny.
[Then I should definitely go with you. It wouldn't be right to let you deal with them alone,] Dexter teased further.
Bianca looked like she wanted to cry. Her thumbs flew across the screen in a panic. [Really, no need. That's final. I have to get back to work. Bye.]
Dexter laughed. [Alright. If you can't handle them, give me a call.]
Seeing Dexter give up, Bianca let out a long breath of relief. [Okay.]
Dex Restaurant.
Dexter put away his phone and happily continued prepping dinner.
In this world, having an interesting woman like Bianca around was actually pretty great.
---
The Gallagher House.
Even though he was still in pain, Frank absolutely couldn't sit still any longer. He was desperate to get to the Alibi Room.
So, he swallowed the last few pills in one go. Feeling a bit of relief, Frank gritted his teeth, stood up, and shakily shuffled toward the door.
Just then.
Fresh from their battle, physically and mentally refreshed, Fiona and Steve came downstairs to start dinner.
They saw Frank looking like he was about to keel over and die at any second...
Instantly, Fiona's good mood vanished. Her brow furrowed, her expression a complex mix of disgust and worry.
She watched him for a few seconds, struggling with her emotions, before she finally cracked. "Where are you going?"
"The Alibi," Frank answered without looking back. Then, realizing something, he slowly turned around to look at Steve. "What's your name again? Whatever, doesn't matter. You have a car. Drive me to the Alibi."
Steve wanted nothing to do with Frank and was about to refuse.
But Fiona couldn't be heartless enough. She beat him to it, looking at Steve. "Could you?"
It wasn't really a question.
Fiona asking meant she was telling Steve to drive Frank.
Steve understood the assignment. He sighed silently, then flashed Fiona a bright smile. "Of course."
"Come back quickly. We'll wait for you for dinner," Fiona smiled faintly.
Steve nodded, didn't waste words, and walked over to Frank. "Let's go, Frank."
"Help me up. I hurt everywhere. I can't walk," Frank demanded without a shred of politeness.
Steve was resigned.
Fiona didn't want to watch anymore and turned toward the kitchen.
As she walked.
Suddenly, Fiona realized something.
Debbie didn't seem to be home.
Her heart skipped a beat. She hurriedly shouted at Frank, "Frank, where's Debbie?"
Frank was currently calculating how to scam some money out of Steve on the ride over. Hearing this, he replied impatiently, "How the fk should I know?"
"..." Fiona bit her lip, her face darkening instantly.
She didn't bother arguing with Frank. She rushed to the backyard to look for Debbie.
Debbie wasn't in the backyard.
She wasn't on the empty lot next door either.
---
Somewhere in the neighborhood.
Debbie was standing outside a house.
She had just overheard that this family was hosting a birthday party tomorrow.
More importantly, she saw the birthday boy. A cute little kid.
This little boy looked way better than Carl...
She wanted the Gallagher family to be whole again. Everyone living together.
A new, better little brother...
Debbie thought this was a brilliant idea.
She smiled.
The smile was full of cunning.