Outside Sheila's House.
To Lip, Karen's words were genuinely infuriating.
Instinctively, his face hardened. He didn't bother explaining anymore and instead spoke with self-righteous indignation, "You fcked Mickey. So, things you can do, I can't?"
Karen smiled brightly. "Of course you can. And I can break up with you. No problem, right?"
"I didn't break up with you before!" Lip practically roared.
"That's your freedom. Alright, that's it. I'm busy." Having provoked him enough, Karen chuckled, dropped that line, and walked away.
Lip subconsciously wanted to chase after her, but just as he moved, he held back. He didn't chase her. Instead, he gritted his teeth and turned away in anger.
Arrogant as Lip was, he never took women too seriously... or at least, that's what he told himself.
So, if they were breaking up, then fine!
Trying to salvage it once was enough!
Since Karen wanted to be a bitch about it, then fck it!
Fuming, Lip thought this over as he limped into his car.
It was getting late. Going to the park to do business wouldn't yield much now, so it was pointless. Lip decided to head home.
---
The Gallagher House.
Fiona walked into the kitchen and opened the fridge to prepare dinner. She had intended to cook only for herself, but after a moment of hesitation, she grabbed more ingredients, deciding to make a larger portion.
The reason was simple.
Lip had called earlier to say that Ian and Carl were moving back tonight.
That meant, aside from Debbie in juvie, the Gallagher family would be reunited before long.
Fiona was indeed a little happy about this, but at the same time, she warned herself not to celebrate too early, lest the family fall apart again in two days.
Harboring these complex emotions, Fiona got busy.
Just then, Monica—who hadn't had a drink yet because she was busy dealing with Frank's antics and was relatively sober—ran into the kitchen with a face full of smiles, looking very happy. She actively proposed, "Fiona, go rest. I'll make dinner."
Fiona, who was starved for both fatherly and motherly love, deep down really wanted a mom. Hearing this, she instinctively paused her movements.
However, in a flash, Fiona continued working. She didn't actually agree, daring not to let herself start this, lest she get used to it.
"No need," Fiona replied.
Hearing this, Monica's expression instantly turned dejected. She said anxiously, "Fiona, I can do it. I really can."
Seeing Monica like this, Fiona immediately softened. She frowned slightly. "Maybe another day."
Having replied and not wanting Monica to pester her, Fiona spoke again to change the subject. "What were you and Frank fighting about? It was so loud."
Hearing this, Monica smiled again and explained the situation. "Frank quit drinking. You know that guy Dexter..."
Monica recounted the situation.
Listening to it, Fiona's brows furrowed into a knot.
"Damn rich people! Playing with us like we're monkeys!!" Fiona indeed wasn't as smart as Lip and didn't suspect a scheme; she simply said it with pure disgust.
Monica giggled. "Who cares? As long as we hold out for two weeks, we can get five thousand dollars!!! Five thousand dollars!"
As she spoke, Monica suddenly leaned mysteriously close to Fiona's ear and whispered, "When the time comes, I'll take half, and I'll give it all to you!"
Fiona couldn't help but laugh. "I'm not counting on it. Frank going two weeks without drinking? Unless he dies."
"I guarantee he can do it. I'll supervise him!" Monica promised solemnly, a bit anxious.
Fiona shook her head with a smile. "Whatever you guys want. It's none of my business."
Monica desperately craved a normal mother-daughter relationship with Fiona. Hearing this, her expression fell again. "Fiona, I know I was gone all those years. You worked hard."
"Now that I'm back, maybe I can't make up for those years you sacrificed, but I will definitely make things easier for you in the future. I'll take good care of this family..."
Monica spoke words that, at this specific moment, were indeed sincere.
Fiona, who fundamentally wasn't actually that tough, felt an uncontrollable sourness in her heart listening to this. She had to force herself to be strong, not to be fooled. She gritted her teeth, kept her face tight, and didn't show weakness. "You don't need to say that. I don't want to hear it."
"No, I have to apologize to you. I failed you," Monica insisted on rambling.
Fiona had no choice but to play mute and not respond.
Just like that, after talking for a while, Monica finally finished. She sniffled, wanting to talk about something cheerful. "Was that guy earlier your boyfriend? He looks really cute. Very much my type."
"Ew! Don't say gross stuff like that!" Fiona shot back.
Monica chuckled. "I won't do anything. He's your boyfriend, after all."
Fiona fell silent for a moment, shook her head with a dimmer expression. "He's not."
"Hm? He's not?" Monica was a bit confused.
"I have to compete with a Brazilian beauty," Fiona felt annoyed just thinking about it.
Monica was slightly surprised. "He has a girlfriend?"
"He has a wife!" Fiona replied.
"Jesus, Fiona..." Monica exclaimed.
Fiona glared. "You have no right to judge me."
Monica felt that was fair. She smiled, her eyes darting around, and asked with a mischievous tone, "So, how do we get rid of that woman?"
Hearing this, Fiona was stunned for a moment, then amused. The look in her eyes toward Monica softened a bit.
Driven by that softness, Fiona's inherent vulnerability surfaced slightly. "If you want to help, help wash the veggies."
"Okay!" Monica responded excitedly immediately.
Before long.
Mother and daughter got busy in the kitchen, the atmosphere quite harmonious.
Frank glanced over, very annoyed, and couldn't be bothered to pay attention to them. He continued fidgeting, smoking desperately to fight the urge to drink.
---
Unknowingly, dusk arrived.
Lip, Ian, and Carl moved back into the Gallagher house one after another.
Ignoring Debbie, the Gallagher family could be considered complete.
Naturally, after so many days and so many events—plus the presence of Frank and Monica, who only knew how to cause trouble—the atmosphere in the Gallagher house wasn't exactly great. Fortunately, it wasn't that bad either.
At least they could talk to each other; it wasn't a scenario where everyone was giving each other the silent treatment.
In the Kitchen.
Fiona, having finally prepared dinner, lit a cigarette. Looking at the family members in the living room, she couldn't help but feel a bit dazed, a bit lost in thought.
So, yes, Lip was right.
As long as the family came back, as long as they all lived in this house... Fiona would absolutely change her mind.
Fiona was still spaced out.
Lip sat on the living room sofa, holding a bottle of beer and drinking it casually. Suddenly catching a glimpse of Fiona's expression, he immediately withdrew his gaze, pretended not to see, and smiled smugly.
Lip really loved this feeling—the feeling that he was right, and that people were doing things according to his plan.