The Alibi Room.
Jimmy rushed in and immediately spotted Monica sitting at the bar, chatting and laughing with a few old barflies.
Jimmy didn't actually care about Monica's situation at all. This was just a mission.
He walked over, stood next to Monica, and greeted her, "Hey, Monica, it's Jimmy, remember me?"
Monica remembered. She looked at Jimmy and flashed a brilliant smile. "Of course, you're Fiona's boyfriend. By the way, how's that wife of yours doing?"
As soon as these words came out...
Kevin and the drunks nearby shifted their gaze, their eyes landing on Jimmy... This reaction was purely out of gossip; Kevin and the others weren't exactly shocked.
After all, what was there to be surprised about? In a place like the South Side, a man having both a wife and a girlfriend, or sleeping with his girlfriend and then her mom, or her sister... these were all pretty common occurrences.
Jimmy wasn't from the South Side, so having his business aired out by Monica like that was a bit embarrassing. He hurriedly changed the subject. "Fiona told me about your situation and asked me to find you. Where are you staying right now?"
Monica was a simple-minded person—or rather, had no brain—so she answered directly, "The XX Motel."
After answering, Monica lifted her glass and downed it in one go.
Jimmy, who was actually quite kind-hearted by nature, saw this and hesitated, but couldn't help advising, "Maybe you shouldn't be drinking. It's not good for your body."
Monica couldn't care less about that kind of thing. She waved her hand nonchalantly. "It's fine, it's fine. It's just a little alcohol, it won't hurt the kid. I've birthed six of them, I have experience."
Hearing this...
Kevin, who was quite the gossip, was instantly startled. His soul of gossip began to burn fiercely. He widened his eyes and asked Monica, "Monica, you're pregnant again? But how? Isn't Frank's junk gone?"
Monica heard this and looked quite proud. She didn't think there was any need to hide this, so she smiled and gave the answer. "It's not Frank's. It's Eddie Jackson's."
Kevin was dumbfounded: "?????"
The drunkards next to him were the same: "?????"
Comrade Frank, that scumbag, had moved into Eddie's house earlier, slept with Eddie's wife Sheila, and then slept with her repeatedly... This wasn't a secret at the Alibi Room.
And now, Eddie had knocked up Frank's wife, Monica?
What the hell kind of situation was this?
Was this karma coming back around?
Or some perverted swingers' game?
So, the seemingly upright Eddie Jackson actually had such a kinky side?
In an instant, the eyes of Kevin and the drunkards lit up.
With booze, snacks, and now some thrilling gossip—heh, how exciting!
"Monica, when did you and Eddie hook up?"
"Monica..."
"..."
For a moment, the drunkards laughed and asked questions non-stop.
Monica had drunk quite a bit and was in a good mood. Plus, since she didn't know the meaning of shame, she accepted all the inquiries and answered them one by one.
In the blink of an eye...
The atmosphere in the Alibi Room became incredibly lively.
Jimmy listened for a short while but really couldn't handle the twisted mess between Monica, Sheila, Frank, and Eddie. He interjected, "Monica, Fiona needs to talk to you. Come over to the side for a second. I'll call her, and you can talk to her."
"Sure," Monica didn't think there was any problem. She agreed crisply and stood up. "I have a phone now. I'll call her. What's her number?"
Not long after.
Fiona, who was serving drinks to customers, heard her phone ring. She hurriedly put down her tray, took out her phone, and saw an unknown number. She was a bit confused but pressed answer quickly. "Hello?"
"Fiona, it's me. I got a phone," Monica said happily.
Hearing Monica's voice, Fiona's body instantly jolted, and her expression changed drastically. She had no mood to care about the new phone and immediately ordered in an incredibly solemn tone, "Tomorrow! Tomorrow I'm taking you for an abortion! You absolutely cannot keep that child!"
Hearing this, Monica couldn't smile anymore. She was rendered speechless for a moment.
Fiona waited a few seconds, but couldn't wait any longer, and shouted, "Monica! I'm serious! You are not allowed to give birth to that child!"
Monica finally found her voice, sounding aggrieved, "Why? I want this child. I like children..."
"You like shit!!" Hearing Monica's words, Fiona almost laughed out of anger. "You don't like children! You only like yourself!! You're not having it! Otherwise, from now on, you are no longer my mom! I won't recognize you!"
Monica couldn't handle those words. She instantly looked heartbroken, about to cry. "Fiona... how can you say that? I'm your mom..."
"Go for an abortion tomorrow! Then you're still my mom! Otherwise, you're never my mom again!" Fiona said with an incredibly tough attitude.
The words entered her ears.
Monica couldn't imagine losing her children like Fiona. She sniffled and had no choice but to compromise. "Okay, tomorrow..."
Hearing this, Fiona instantly let out a silent sigh of relief.
Finally solved one problem, Fiona thought to herself. Then, her tone softened a lot. "Okay, Mom. I'm still working. I'll come find you tomorrow morning."
That "Mom" warmed Monica's heart instantly. Monica smiled again. "Okay."
Fiona hung up the phone, shook herself off, feeling much lighter, and then picked up her tray to continue working.
The Alibi Room.
Mission accomplished. Jimmy, who had no interest in drinking, said a couple of words to Monica and turned to leave. According to the original plan, he was going to meet the person who could get Marco to the US.
Monica sat back down at the bar, smiling and greeting Kevin. "Another beer."
Kevin might not be a saint, but he was a decent guy with a conscience.
Before, when he didn't know Monica was pregnant, pouring her a drink was standard procedure.
Now that he knew Monica was pregnant, Kevin couldn't bring himself to pour her another one. "Monica, you're pregnant. You can't drink. Let's call it a night. Go back and rest."
Monica wouldn't have it. She clamored that it was fine and insisted on drinking.
Kevin's attitude was firm. He absolutely refused.
Monica made a scene for a while, but seeing no way out, her brain spun, and she actually asked the drunkards next to her for a drink.
It's worth mentioning that the drunkards also firmly refused, not giving her a drop.
A bottom line was something even these drunks had.
After all, these drunks weren't scum like Frank.
In the end, Monica had no choice but to leave in a huff... Of course, she didn't pay.
Kevin didn't care in the slightest; instead, he sighed in relief.
For Kevin, that little bit of beer money was a small matter. If he sold alcohol to Monica and it affected that kid, that would be the big issue.
---
Leaving the Alibi Room.
Monica subconsciously started walking toward the motel. After a few steps, she thought about that small, cold, deserted room... it was boring as hell.
Monica then thought of Frank, followed by Carl, Ian, and Liam...
The next second.
Monica didn't hesitate. She turned decisively and walked quickly toward the Gallagher house.
As for... the little conflict she had with Frank earlier during the day...
Heh, what was that? Just a trivial matter.
Monica walked very fast, as if there were wind beneath her feet, moving impatiently.
The Gallagher House.
In the living room on the first floor, Frank, Carl, and Liam were still watching TV. No one spoke to anyone; the atmosphere was lifeless.
Ian hadn't come back yet... though nobody really cared.
Time flew.
Monica pushed the door open excitedly and walked into the house, rushing straight into the living room. "Frank!"
Hearing Monica's voice, Frank instantly got excited. He turned his head, beaming with joy. "Monica! I knew you'd come back!"
Monica smiled too. "This is my home, of course I'd come back."
Just then, Frank sniffed and smelled the alcohol on Monica. He was instantly filled with intense longing and hurriedly leaned into Monica, inhaling deeply. "You drank? Smells so good!"
"Haha, I just came back from the Alibi," Monica said with a laugh.
Ah! The Alibi!
Frank missed it even more. He wished he could drag his legs there right now and drink to his heart's content. But then, on second thought, he remembered the five thousand dollars...
Frank couldn't stop himself from getting incredibly agitated. "Didn't you promise to stick it out with me for two weeks! How could you drink behind my back!"
Monica only then remembered she seemed to have promised that. She had to giggle and butter Frank up.
The two of them messed around like this as if no one else was there.
Carl, sitting on the side, found it particularly noisy, but he didn't say anything.
After coaxing Frank, Monica went straight to Carl with a smile, chattering away in a good mood.
Carl had no choice. He had never thought of losing his temper with Monica, so he just helplessly humored her.
A short while later.
Monica went to pester Liam.
Unknowingly, about an hour passed.
"Frank, come out with me. I have something to tell you," Monica called to Frank.
Frank also wanted to talk to Monica about blackmailing Eddie, so he got up quickly.
Before long, the two were outside the back door.
Monica didn't waste time and immediately spoke about Fiona's phone call.
After listening.
Frank got anxious, stomping his foot. "No! No! No! You absolutely cannot get an abortion! We Gallaghers do not do abortions!"
Monica actually didn't want to do it either. Seeing Frank's reaction, she felt aggrieved, her face falling. "But Fiona said if I don't do it, she won't recognize me as her mom anymore."
"What does this have to do with her!" Frank cursed. "You don't need to care what she says. She's just all talk. I know her very well..."
Frank didn't want to lose the ATM that was Eddie. He hurriedly calmed down, his lips moving non-stop, one sentence after another, persuading Monica.
The fact was...
Frank's eloquence was indeed very good, and he was truly skilled at persuading others.
Besides, Monica's will had never been firm.
One minute, two minutes, five minutes...
"We should leave! Wait until the child is born, then come back!" Frank suddenly said with absolute certainty.
Monica had already been bamboozled by Frank. Hearing this, she instantly felt it was a very good idea. "But we don't have money. What do we do?"
"Eddie brought the first payment this afternoon. This money is enough for us to live for a while. After that, as long as we persist for a few days, we can get that five thousand dollars from Dexter!" Frank rattled on. "Plus Eddie's money, it's enough!"
"We won't go far, just to Indiana. Don't worry, with me there, I will definitely take good care of you," Frank vowed solemnly.
Monica had long lost her own opinion. After listening, she felt it was doable and nodded. "Okay!"
Frank flashed a brilliant smile instantly. "Then go pack. We're leaving right now!"
Monica nodded again, indicating agreement.
The two said no more, went back into the house, and started packing efficiently.
Carl noticed and found it a bit strange, but that was all. He didn't ask; he couldn't be bothered to ask.
Neither Frank nor Monica had much luggage, so they finished packing very quickly.
Only then did Monica feel a surge of reluctance to leave Carl and Liam. She hesitated, not wanting to leave anymore.
Seeing Monica's reaction, Frank immediately guessed what was going on. He decisively leaned into Monica's ear and whispered seductively, "We'll be back before long, don't worry..."
After being bewitched by Frank, Monica put away her reluctance.
"Carl, your mom and I are going out to handle some business," Frank shouted to Carl.
Carl responded indifferently, "Got it."
"Carl, take good care of Liam," Monica added to Carl.
"Mm," Carl responded briefly again.
Frank and Monica said no more, lifted their feet to walk out, and before long, left the Gallagher house.
---
2118 North Wallace.
Sitting on the sofa in the living room on the first floor, eating, drinking, and watching a movie with Bianca, Dexter had just received feedback from Little Black. He knew that the two weirdos, Frank and Monica, were leaving...
So.
Thinking it over, and considering what intense reaction Fiona would have after she returned if Frank and Monica left like this...
Dexter felt that it would be best if Frank and Monica stayed away a little longer, rather than coming back in two or three days.
Therefore, Frank and Monica needed to have some money.
In short, he felt it was very necessary to give the pair some cash.
"I just remembered something I have to do. I need to go out for a bit. I'll be right back," Dexter didn't delay, speaking to Bianca.
Bianca was still very innocent and didn't suspect anything. "Do you need me to go with you?"
"No need, you're already in your pajamas. Wait for me at home—preferably change into a uniform and wait for me," Dexter stood up and said with a wicked smile.
"????" Bianca immediately gave Dexter an eye-roll. "Keep dreaming!"
"Haha, I'm off," Dexter laughed and left. He went out, got in his car, and immediately called Karen.
He couldn't give the money directly. Letting Karen give it—with an easily fabricated reason—would be much more appropriate.
Karen was currently putting on a performance, having a late-night snack with Jody.
Although they had only known each other for a few hours, their relationship was already as close as Karen wanted it to be.
Of course, Karen had long discovered that this guy Jody was incredibly stupid... However, she didn't think that was a bad thing.
After all, idiots are easier to control, Karen thought with a smile.
Just then.
Her phone rang.
Seeing it was a call from Dexter, Karen immediately pressed answer.