His Belated Love for the Abandoned Ex-Wife Chapter 186: No Longer Home

"Mom, I'm back," Iris said, still trying to process the situation as she stepped forward. "Did you change the lock?"

She barely crossed the threshold before it happened.

The slap landed hard and fast, snapping her head to the side as the sound echoed through the entryway. Heat spread instantly across her cheek, the sting sharp enough to leave her momentarily disoriented.

She stood there, stunned, one hand pressed against her face as she looked at Grace in disbelief.

"What, you still remember where you live?" Grace's voice shook with anger, her hands trembling as everything she'd been holding in finally spilled out. "Your father's sick and needs someone taking care of him, your brother's out there working nonstop to support this family, I've got Frank and this entire house to manage, and you? You disappear for months, no job, no help, and now, right before the holidays when everything needs to get done, you're off on some trip with a man?"

She didn't stop, the words coming faster, sharper.

"And if you're going to run around with a man, at least settle down and marry one already," she continued, her tone turning harsh. "But no, you had to get involved with your ex-husband's brother. Do you have any idea how that looks? Are there no other men in this world? You had to get caught between the two of them?"

Iris slowly lowered her hand, her jaw tightening as her fingers curled into fists at her sides.

The anger didn't explode.

It burned.

Ethan rushed out from the kitchen, clearly drawn by the noise. The moment he saw her, he moved toward her quickly.

"Iris, you're back," he said, his voice softer, trying to steady the situation. "Just apologize, okay? Let's not do this today. It's the night before New Year, let's just have dinner together."

Same as always... just keep the peace, smooth things over, act like it's no big deal.

Iris didn't respond.

From the living room, Keith's voice cut in, firm and impatient. "It's the holidays. Stop arguing and making a scene. Get in here and help your brother with dinner."

Ethan gently pulled her inside.

That was when she saw them. Selena and Celeste.

Sitting comfortably in the living room, like they belonged there. A quiet, bitter realization settled in.

One was the daughter who had been sent away. The other, a future in-law.

And somehow, both of them had a place here.

While she stood at the door like she didn't.

Before she had even stepped inside, the accusations had already been laid out, and her mother hadn't hesitated for a second.

"Why are you just standing there?" Grace snapped. "Say hello."

Iris's gaze moved slowly from Selena to Celeste before returning to her mother. "So that's what this is about?" she asked evenly. "That's why you hit me?"

Grace stepped forward immediately, anger flaring again as she jabbed a finger toward her. "You're messing around with two brothers and you think I can't hit you? I'm your mother."

A short, cold laugh slipped from Iris.

Keith's voice followed, heavy with disapproval. "If you did something wrong, own it. Watch your attitude."

Iris's hands clenched tighter, her nails pressing into her palms as she closed her eyes briefly, forcing herself to stay composed.

Selena shifted closer to Keith, her hand resting lightly against him, her voice soft and measured. "Dad, don't get upset. Your health comes first."

Then, with a faint, calculated sigh, she added, "I mean... Iris's personal life is a little complicated, but she's probably just trying to find someone successful who can help the family."

Keith's expression hardened. "There are plenty of successful men out there. That doesn't mean she gets to behave like this. It's embarrassing."

Grace stepped in again, grabbing Iris's arm and pinching hard.

"Are you just going to stand there?"

Pain shot through her arm instantly, sharp and familiar.

Iris flinched, pulling slightly to the side, her hand instinctively covering the spot.

Nothing had changed.

Ethan moved between them again, his voice rising slightly this time. "Mom, stop. She's not a kid anymore."

"Not a kid?" Grace shot back, her anger boiling over. "Does she act like an adult? She married into money and got us nothing out of it. Divorced and didn't walk away with a single dollar. Now she's running around with her ex's brother, sold her company, doesn't work, hasn't given this family a dime in months, and spends her time traveling like she has no responsibilities. She's selfish. Completely selfish."

Each word landed with precision.

No hesitation. No restraint.

Iris stood there, silent, the weight of it pressing down on her chest.

So this was what it all came down to.

Everything she had done. Everything she had given up.

None of it had ever mattered.