Micah was fuming. “Uncle, your words are out of line. That’s just a personal attack.”

Jamison didn’t bother to sugarcoat it, letting out a cold chuckle. “As harsh as my words may be, they’re nothing compared to how disgraceful your actions are.”

“Jamison!” Micah was so furious that he blurted out his uncle’s first name, leaping to his feet in agitation.

Jamison shot him a sharp, lethal glare. “What, are you planning to challenge your elders now?”

Micah stiffened, jaw clenched, but said nothing.

Carla and Farley exchanged uneasy glances. Jamison’s words stung, but deep down, they knew he was right. They felt nothing but headache and disappointment – after all, they’d raised a son who’d accomplished nothing in his career, and whose marriage was a complete disaster.

Seeing her son calling out his uncle by name, Carla quickly tried to smooth things over, tugging Micah’s arm. “Enough, all of you. We’re family – what kind of example are we setting, fighting like this?”

Jamison’s mother, not wanting to embarrass her son-in-law further, turned and scolded her younger son. “Jamison, mind your manners. Micah is still your nephew.”

“If he weren’t, I wouldn’t even bother looking his way." The implication was clear – Jamison only criticized him because he was family.

The atmosphere in the room grew even more strained.

Danny let out a long breath and steered the conversation back on track. “Let’s set everything else aside. We’re here to talk about your choice of partner. You can’t be with Ivy.”

Jamison nodded calmly. “Fine. Then stop pressuring me to get married or setting me up with anyone else."

“That’s not the same thing!”

“To me, it is.” Jamison’s tone was resolute. “You don’t approve of the woman I love, and I have no interest in the women you pick for me. Why waste everyone’s time? If you two are bored, maybe you could try for another kid. The world’s oldest parents were over seventy, and you’re both in great health. I’m sure you could–”

“Watch your mouth!” Danny cut him off, his face turning red with anger. Before Jamison could finish, Danny hurled his cane across the room in a fit of rage.

“Do you even hear yourself? You’re no kid anymore, and you still haven’t learned any manners! You’ve never stopped being a handful!” the old man thundered, glaring at his youngest.

Jamison dodged the flying cane with practiced ease, his cool expression unshaken.

Just then, his young nephew came bounding down the stairs, calling out excitedly, "Uncle!"

Chapter II

“Uncle!”

Jamison turned, and his face softened as the little boy wrapped himself around his leg. “Still coughing?” he asked gently.

The boy shook his head, grinning. “Nope, all better.”

Thad stood, picked up their father’s cane, and tried to mediate. “Jamison, Miss Windsor really isn’t a good match. There’s a generation gap, and she used to date Micah. If word gets out… people will talk.”

Jamison just shrugged. “Can’t help it. I like her, and that’s not something I can control.”

“You’re an adult, Jamison. Of course, you can control it. This is just–” Thad started, but his wife Davina quickly interrupted him. “Honey, why don’t you return your dad’s cane first?”

Thad dutifully handed the cane back to their father. Davina slipped her arm through his and shot him a look, silently telling him to drop it. Matters of the heart were always messy, even for parents – let alone a married older brother.

Reminded of his headstrong younger sibling’s stubborn streak, Thad decided not to push any further. “Fine. Just think it over carefully, all right?” He left the dirty work to their parents; they had more authority anyway.

Jamison’s answer was clear and unwavering. “I’ve thought it through. I really care about Ivy. She’s beautiful, talented, strong, and independent – she’s my equal in every way.”

The Ludwig family exchanged glances, each processing his words in their own way. In all these years, it was the first time they’d heard Jamison praise a woman like this, and with so many compliments.

It was obvious – this time, he was serious.