Pam & I will pretend to date, and she can move-in as my girlfriend.

"Wuh...what?" you gasped. "You can't be serious!"

Pam smiled uncomfortably and took your hand. "It's the only thing that makes sense, dear," she told you. "My regular presence here has already been noticed. Several of my friends have asked about all the time I'm spending with the 'handsome guy I met in the hospital.'"

Michael nodded in agreement. "I've got a few comments as well. This is the easiest explanation to have Pam around, and it fits with everyone's expectations." He held your gaze. "I know it will be a little awkward at first but this will let you two spend time together while avoiding questions. Pam is a lovely woman but I assure you I don't have any designs on her or ulterior motives. In fact, this is her idea."

You jumped at that, startled by this admission. "Really?" you asked, looking at Pam. "You came up with this?"

She looked a little embarrassed. "It just came to me - seemed obvious, really. I...I'm lonely in our house anyway. It would be nice to be around you more."

You sighed in acceptance though you were still not completely happy with the idea of your wife dating and moving in with another man, even if it were just a pretense. "Okay, I guess you're right. It's a good idea. And it will be great to have you here all the time."

...

The next few weeks were somewhat stressful for you. Pam was at your home more and more often until she finally moved in - and her being there was great. But watching her and Michael's fake romance was difficult for you, forcing you to flee when they had to 'put on a show' for friends or guests. Fortunately others ascribed your behavior to a young teenager having trouble with his mother being replaced. Your (William's) friends commiserated with you, but tried to helpfully point out how nice Pam was and that she seemed to really like you.

The change in the dynamic of the household and your continued interactions with William's friends started to have an effect. You liked Michael quite a bit - maybe even started to feel some sort of father-son bond with him - but it was uncomfortable when he and Pam treated you like a kid. And that happened often as it seemed there was almost always business guests or friends stopping by the house. As you got used to everyone reacting to you as if you were William, you in turn started to accept his life, behaving more like the 13 year old boy that you appeared to be.