Chapter 182 — Ian and Lip Leave Home
By now, Ian had stepped out of the center of the conflict.
Lip stood there instead, neck flushed red, locking eyes with Fiona. It was as if he was waiting—waiting for her to regret what she'd said, to take it back.
But Fiona wasn't that kind of person.
There was no way she was backing down.
After more than ten seconds of silence, Lip realized she wasn't going to budge.
"Fine! I'm getting the hell out!"
He spun around and stormed upstairs, slamming into his room and hurriedly stuffing his things together.
Once he was gone, Ian stood there, a little lost, staring at Fiona.
"And you, Ian?" Fiona asked flatly. "Are you leaving too?"
This was the brother who had always been the most obedient.
She couldn't understand how things had turned out like this.
But the truth was, her own mindset played a huge role.
People grow.
And Fiona's need to control her siblings had slowly become the root of their rebellion.
No one likes having their life dictated completely—not even when the intentions are good.
Without the right approach, control only breeds resistance.
Still, it wasn't entirely her fault.
Their mother, Monica, should have carried that responsibility.
But Monica had always run from responsibility—far worse than even Frank.
In the original timeline, Frank occasionally showed flashes of being a father.
Monica never once acted like a proper mother.
And because of that, Fiona never learned what a healthy guardian looked like.
So this outcome… wasn't surprising.
"Fuck you, Fiona!"
With Lip taking the lead, Ian followed, turning and heading upstairs as well.
Inside the shared room—
"You're leaving too?" Lip asked, stuffing clothes into his bag.
He didn't own much—just a few clothes, really.
"Yeah. Fiona gave me a choice—leave, or give up West Point."
Ian started packing as well.
Lip let out a cold laugh. "Heh. Fuck Fiona. Let her rot."
Before long, both brothers were done packing and headed downstairs together.
Fiona stood by the door, waiting in silence.
She didn't believe they'd actually go through with it.
Kids who had never lived on their own? They were just talking big.
So she stood there, arms crossed, the front door wide open, waiting.
Moments later, the two of them stopped in front of her.
"Stay, or leave?" Fiona asked coldly.
At that moment, Frank came in through the back door, struggling to carry Peggy's wheelchair.
Peggy followed behind, still barking insults at him.
But when they saw the tense standoff between the siblings, both of them paused, curiosity taking over. Even Peggy lowered her raised cane.
Lip and Ian exchanged a glance.
Then, in perfect sync, they both raised a middle finger.
"FUCK YOU, FIONA!"
They said it together.
And then—
they walked out.
Just like that.
Fiona stood frozen.
This wasn't how it was supposed to go.
They actually left.
Her nose stung, and she wrapped her arms tightly around herself.
Her eyes reddened, but she refused to look at their retreating backs.
A quiet sob slipped out.
Her fingers dug into her shoulders as if holding herself together.
"What are you staring at?! Get me upstairs already, you useless trash!"
Smack!
Peggy's cane cracked against Frank's head.
"Y-Yes, Mom…"
Frank winced, quickly obeying.
And just like that, the house fell into an uneasy silence.
Frank, thoroughly cowed by Peggy, was as obedient as a lapdog.
He carefully helped her upstairs without a word.
Meanwhile, Fiona remained alone in the empty living room.
Slowly, she sank to the floor, curling into herself as quiet sobs began to escape her.
Outside—
The two brothers had walked a few hundred meters.
The earlier fire and defiance on their faces had long faded.
Ian hesitated for a moment, a trace of regret flickering in his eyes as he glanced back at the house.
Lip, on the other hand, looked completely lost.
He had no idea where to go.
Sniqua's place?
That cramped, rundown apartment could barely fit one more person, let alone three.
And the thought of being supported by her… his pride wouldn't allow it.
So his confusion was only natural.
"Hey, Ian. Where are you gonna go?" Lip asked, pulling out a pack of cigarettes.
He lit one, taking a drag.
Honestly, if it weren't for William, he wouldn't even have the luxury of smoking freely.
Some things were just ingrained.
Being ungrateful wasn't something you learned—it was something you were.
Lip was exactly that kind of person—someone who never remembered others' kindness.
"I don't know… I'll call Mandy and see," Ian said, taking out his phone.
These days, everyone in the Gallagher family had a phone.
Thanks to William's earlier Bitcoin move, they'd made quite a bit of money. Add to that Fiona's restaurant doing well over the past month, and things had improved.
Everyone except Liam now had a phone.
Though Ian and Lip were still using basic models—nothing fancy.
Only Fiona had splurged on an iPhone 4.
Ian found Mandy's number and dialed.
With his other hand, he gestured toward Lip.
Lip understood and handed him a cigarette.
Ian lit it just as the call connected.
"Ian? What's up?" Mandy's voice came through.
"Uh… well…" Ian hesitated, glancing at Lip, who nodded for him to go on.
"I was wondering… could I crash at your place for a few days?"
Clearly, although Ian and Mandy were still close, he no longer knew much about her current situation.
At the base, Mandy had made new friends—several, in fact.
Naturally, she didn't rely on Ian as much anymore.
"Ah… I'm not living at the Milkovich house anymore," Mandy replied.
Ian froze for a second.
"Then where are you staying? Can my brother and I come over for a few days?"
There was a brief silence on the other end.
"…Sorry. That probably won't work. It's all girls where I'm staying. It wouldn't be convenient for you guys."
"Oh… okay. Sorry for bothering you," Ian said helplessly.
"It's fine. I'll hang up then. Bye."
The line went dead.
"So?" Lip asked, looking at him.
"What happened?"