Lucas and Michele walked over and opened the door hand in hand, smiling like a happy couple. Little did anyone suspect that they were the cheaters and the third party. It was truly ironic.
Iris was taken aback at first, not expecting to run into them. They probably didn't anticipate seeing Iris either.
Michele spoke first, "Iris, you're back! We were just about to go grocery shopping. Are you having dinner at home? We can buy an extra portion for you."
Iris felt disgusted by Michele's audacity. After all these years, how could she never realize how despicable Michele could be? Lucas remained silent, staring coldly at Iris.
"Home? This is my home. If you want to have dinner, go back to your own place," Iris sneered. "By the way, Morris," she referred to Lucas by his last name instead of calling him 'Lucas', like she did the last nine years, "you have ten minutes to pack up and leave."
Lucas looked at Iris, his eyes filled with disbelief. He thought her words last night were just out of anger and that she would forgive him. They had been together since college— nine years in total— and he never imagined Iris would actually leave him even though he had cheated on her.
Moreover, he relied on Iris's financial support. She had been supporting him for so long that everything he owned was bought by her. How was he supposed to live without her?
"Iris, don't be ridiculous!" Lucas let go of Michele's hand and took a step forward. "She and I are just a temporary thing. You and I have already become like family, Iris. Don't ruin our relationship with impulsive decisions."
Hearing his words, Iris could only scoff in disbelief. She didn't think she could still be further disappointed by him, but here she was. He didn't even apologize or acknowledge his mistake. In fact, Lucas even emphasized that the breakup would be Iris's 'impulsive decision'.
Iris looked straight into Lucas's eyes and said firmly, "The one ruining the relationship is not me, it's you. You're wrong, not because I discovered your affair, but because of the affair itself."
Iris mercilessly shattered Lucas's last delusion and hope. "Why do you think I would accept your infidelity and continue to support you financially? You really overestimated yourself, how could you be so confident?"
Iris walked past them, holding the door open and disregarding Lucas's livid expression. She issued her final ultimatum, "Go inside and pack your things. If you don't, I'll throw all your stuff out."
Lucas's face turned sour. He knew Iris was serious this time, but he still wanted to argue. "Where can I go? You know I'm overwhelmed with my thesis and internship lately."
Iris impatiently interrupted him. "I don't care. You're responsible for your own affairs now. Taking care of you is no longer my responsibility."
Lucas was anxious to keep arguing and fighting for a chance to stay here, Iris shook her head helplessly, "You can move out in a dignified manner now; it's better than being evicted like a dog. If you continue to harass me, I'll call the police to get a restraining order."
Lucas stared at her with wide eyes at the words. "What..?" He couldn't even finish his sentence— he simply stared at Iris in shock.
How could Iris be so heartless?
Iris continued to add, "I don't want things to get worse when it's already ugly enough." She stopped and stared at him, emphasizing, "Just end it."
Michele wanted to argue further, but Lucas— unwillingly— feared that Iris calling the police would escalate the situation and potentially impact his future studies.
He could only grit his teeth and walk into the house, loudly instructing Michele, who was about to speak, "Stand here and wait for me while I pack my things. We'll go to your place together."
Michele was alarmed by his words. She only rented a loft in the suburbs, and it was a shared space. How could she accommodate Lucas? But hearing Lucas's tone, which brooked no refusal, she didn't dare to defy him but nodded with mixed emotions. Then, she glared at Iris with resentment.
Lucas didn't have many belongings of his own; most of them were items Iris had bought for him. He haphazardly packed some daily necessities and a few changes of clothes. He grabbed his suitcase and headed towards the door, still holding onto the hope of returning. Consequently, he didn't pack seriously.
'Why bother to pack so much stuff while you would just living outside for a few days?' he thought to himself.
Iris sat on the couch, observing his actions. When she saw him only taking a small suitcase, she immediately understood that he still held onto illusions.
"Wait!" Iris called out to him.
Lucas turned his head eagerly, thinking she regretted being cold to him and tried to keep him, but he was totally wrong — Iris walked into the room and brought out all of his clothes from the wardrobe, tossing them on the floor in front of him.
"If you don't want these clothes, I'll call the garbage collection right away." She watched as Lucas's body turned rigid as he stared at the pile of clothing.
"Although, if I were you, I would definitely take it. You probably won't have the money to buy new clothes for yourself after this. Consider this my last act of kindness towards you."
The joy in Lucas's eyes was instantly extinguished by hatred. He understood that there was no hope left this time.
Lucas picked up the clothes from the floor, gritting his teeth and said, "Remember what you've done to me today. You'd better make sure you don't regret this!"
"Trust me, I won't," Iris returned evenly, her gaze cool.
Lucas huffed in anger and his face turned as red as a tomato. He then left the house with Michele, making sure to slam the door with all his might on the way out.