Chapter 5

The divorce papers had been printed for a while now, but Lionel had been home these past few days. Iris didn't want to stir up trouble, so she hadn't gone to pick them up.

After finally getting the papers, she drove back home.

The system announced in its cold voice, [Iris, you have seven days remaining before leaving this world. The exit channel is now 50% open. Please make sure to settle all matters within the remaining seven days.]

After the announcement, the system vanished.

Iris kept driving, her expression blank.

Then she saw Pamela ahead, walking off the curb toward a steakhouse.

Iris froze for two seconds and pulled the car over.

At lunch, during Lionel's phone call, she had vaguely caught a few words. Just enough to hear "celebrate" and "girlfriend".

On impulse, she followed Pamela to the private dining room where they were eating.

The moment Pamela walked in, the room erupted in teasing cheers.

"Hey, the famous singer's girlfriend is here!"

Pamela nodded politely at everyone. "Hi."

"Come on, sit. Order whatever you want. Otherwise, Lionel's gonna say we didn't treat you well."

Everyone laughed. Lionel cleared his throat and pulled Pamela to sit beside him.

"No need. Pamela can't eat this stuff right now."

Pamela blushed shyly.

The room went quiet for a few seconds until someone spoke.

"Can't eat this stuff… Wait, is she pregnant?"

Pamela lowered her head and leaned closer to Lionel.

That confirmed everyone's suspicion.

After another brief silence, someone said, "Then we really have to keep this quiet. Can't let Iris find out."

Lionel stiffened, and his face went pale.

Pamela glanced at him uneasily.

Outside the room, Iris narrowed her eyes. A chill crept up from her feet, twisting into anger. Something inside her snapped.

She had met all of Lionel's friends before. To protect her identity, she rarely interacted with them.

But every one of them knew she existed. They all knew her story with Lionel.

And now, it seemed they all knew about Pamela, too.

Iris took a deep breath, put on a polite smile, and pushed the door open.

"Hi, everyone! I was passing by and thought I'd join you for a bite."

Ten full seconds of silence followed.

The moment she walked in, Lionel and his friends all froze, their faces going stiff and ugly.

Iris curved her lips slightly and looked around the room.

"What's wrong? Am I not welcome?"

Only then did they snap out of it. "Of course you are. Come sit right…"

But Pamela was sitting next to Lionel, and there was no empty seat. The man offering smiled awkwardly, not knowing what to do.

Lionel's gaze stayed locked on Iris as he stood up without realizing it.

Iris didn't care. She calmly sat across from him. "No need to fuss. This spot's fine."

Lionel frowned slightly.

Halfway through the meal, Iris looked at Pamela. "You must be Pamela! You're even prettier in person than in the music video. You actually remind me a bit of myself when I was younger."

Lionel stiffened. "She's not as pretty as you were back then."

Iris raised an eyebrow.

Pamela's face went pale, sadness flashing in her eyes.

No one else dared to speak.

In the blink of an eye, Pamela adjusted her expression and put on a gentle smile again, as if she hadn't been affected at all by Lionel's words.

"Why aren't you eating?" Iris asked her. "You've been sitting here forever and haven't touched your utensils."

Pamela smiled and placed a hand over her stomach. "I'm pregnant. I can't eat greasy food."

After speaking, she turned to look at Lionel, her expression hesitant, as if she wanted to say more.

The atmosphere grew even stranger. No one made a sound.

Lionel ignored Pamela's look. His brows were drawn tight as he stared at Iris, clearly anxious. He wanted to speak, but she cut in first.

"I see. You're right. You should be careful with what you eat."

Her tone was calm, as if she hadn't noticed anything unusual.

Suddenly, she set her utensils down and stood up.