30 Days of Passion and Revenge-Chapter 100: A Tangled Web of Emotions

He hadn’t held her tightly, so when she pulled away, the warmth and the faint scent of mint left her as if she had never felt it.

Looking at his hand, now empty after she had pushed it away, a bitter smile tugged at Alex’s lips. With a hint of self-mockery, he said, "I’m not worthy, am I, Lily?"

To her, he seemed to mean nothing anymore...

Just like when he and Ethan had fought, the person she had chosen to protect wasn’t him.

Over a decade of childhood friendship, of growing up together, couldn’t compare to a relationship that had lasted less than a month...

No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t fill the nine-year gap where they hadn’t seen each other.

"..." Lily didn’t answer. She raised her hand and wiped away her tears.

It wasn’t just Alex who wasn’t worthy. Neither of them was deserving of standing in this villa, embracing...

On the white bench in front of the villa, the two sat silently, a person’s width apart, quietly listening to the distant cries of seagulls, blending with the sound of the waves in a natural symphony.

"Is your foot better?" After a long while, Alex finally broke the silence.

"Yeah," Lily nodded, looking at his gentle face. The bruises from before had disappeared, and his features were as soft and kind as ever.

"Lily."

"Hmm?"

"Ethan..." Alex sat on the bench, his hands clasped together on his knees, his back slightly hunched. He hesitated momentarily before asking, "Do you love him?"

How could he ask such a question?

How was she supposed to answer?

She didn’t want to lie to Alex anymore. Her life was already full of too many lies. She didn’t want to add another one when facing Alex.

Before she could respond, Alex continued, "I’ve looked into him. Ethan is a man with a very chaotic personal life. Did you know that?"

Of course, she knew.

The first time she met Ethan, he was fooling around with a famous actress, Natalie Walker, having sex in a car.

She knew it all too well...

Lily lowered her head, remaining silent.

"Lily, a man like that doesn’t deserve you," Alex said seriously, gazing at her from the side.

Ethan didn’t deserve her?

Then who did she deserve?

"What kind of man does deserve me?" Lily asked bitterly, almost reflexively. As soon as the words left her lips, she saw a flash of guilt in Alex’s eyes. She realized he was feeling remorse again about the arranged marriage they had once been promised, and she quickly changed the subject with a smile. "Do you come here every day?"

If he came here daily, she wouldn’t be able to visit this white villa.

"Not every day," Alex said, pointing to the car parked in front of the villa. "I saw a few dresses earlier and thought they’d suit you, so I bought them. Do you want to take a look?"

Lily stared at him, surprised.

Alex, noticing her reaction, looked a bit embarrassed. "It’s just a habit. I forgot your tastes have changed."

He had gotten used to buying princess dresses whenever he saw them, and if something seemed like it would suit Lily, he would buy it without hesitation...

It was like an addiction—one he couldn’t quit.

And he didn’t want to quit.

Filling the villa with things that reminded him of Lily was the only way he could feel like they were still as close as they had been when they were children.

"Alex..."

Lily said his name softly but didn’t know what else to say.

She didn’t deserve his thoughtfulness.

He had his own life to live and his happiness to pursue. Why was he wasting his time buying things that no longer mattered?

A bright yellow convertible sped down the beach toward them at that moment. A young woman with long, wavy, chocolate-brown hair was in the driver’s seat. Diamond earrings sparkled as they framed her lovely face.

It was Alice Johnson.

The convertible stopped in front of the villa.

Lily bit her lip and stood up from the bench, her eyes fixing on Alice in the distance.

Following Lily’s gaze, Alex stood up, surprise flashing across his face.

Alice opened the car door, first stepping out in eight-centimeter high heels. Her V-neck red dress accentuated her perfect figure, exuding wealth, charm, and elegance.

Removing her black-rimmed sunglasses, Alice smiled brightly, her large, beautiful eyes curving into crescents as she approached them.

"Alice?" Alex asked, still surprised. "What are you doing here?"

"You left your watch at my place," Alice said with a smile as she walked forward and casually hooked her arm through Alex’s, her possessiveness clear. Her eyes glanced coldly at Lily before looking back at Alex.

Alex hesitated momentarily, glancing at Lily, but he didn’t pull his arm away from Alice.

Lily remained silent.

What excuse could she use to leave now?

Alice pulled out the watch and slipped it onto Alex’s wrist, her smile still plastered. Then, she turned to Lily, pretending to be curious. "Who is this young lady?"

Lily couldn’t help but admire Alice’s performance. Her acting was so natural, so effortless.

If she ever became an actress, she’d surely be a star.

Lily didn’t bother exposing her. If Alice wanted to pretend they didn’t know each other, OK. It didn’t matter.

"This is Lily," Alex said with a small smile, introducing her. "Alice, this is my fiancée."

The word "fiancée" was spoken lightly, very lightly.

Was she supposed to play along and politely introduce herself?

Before she could say anything, Alice put on a surprised expression. "So, you’re the Lily? Has Alex been looking for it all these years? He’s been searching for you for so long."

Lily watched Alice’s flawless performance, unsure of what to say.

When Lily didn’t respond, Alice rested her hands on Alex’s arm, pouting slightly as she complained, "When did you find her? Why didn’t you tell me?"

"I..."

"We ran into each other a few days ago," Lily interrupted, smiling politely as she stared at Alice. "I have something to do, so I’ll be leaving now. We’ll catch up another time."

She spoke with perfect courtesy, then turned to leave. But Alice grabbed her bag, smiling warmly. "Alex has been looking for you for so long. Why leave so quickly? Alex, why don’t you ask Butler Aston to prepare some tea for us? Not too hot, not too cold—didn’t you say Lily has a sensitive stomach?"

Did Alex tell Alice about her stomach problems?

Lily was taken aback.

Or maybe she was overthinking it. To them, she was just a childhood friend who didn’t matter much in their relationship.

She wasn’t a threat to their love.

Alex glanced briefly at Lily, then nodded gently. "Alright."

He turned and left to prepare the tea.

Watching Alex’s retreating figure, Lily’s gaze turned cold as she stared at Alice’s hand, still gripping her bag. "Enough with the act. Let go."

"Let go?" Alice’s smile faded, and she yanked the bag harder, her expression turning cold. "Lily, you’re the one who needs to let go! What are you trying to do by clinging to Alex?"

The bag fell to the ground, and the contents Nanny had packed for her were scattered everywhere.

Lily’s eyes grew even colder. "Alice, could you stop acting like a shrew?"

Alice’s face twisted in anger. "Lily, you’ve got some nerve! You’ve already hooked up with Ethan and are trying to seduce Alex, too? What exactly are you after? Alex is my fiancé. I’m warning you, stay away from him!"

I hooked up with Ethan and am now trying to seduce Alex.

For some reason, those words made Lily’s heart clench.

"Ms. Johnson, pick up the things you dropped," Lily said coldly.

"Lily, don’t think you can act all high and mighty just because Ethan backs you up." Alice started to say, but her eyes flickered, and her voice abruptly stopped.

Lily watched in surprise the next second as Alice knelt and picked up the scattered items.

What’s gotten into her?

Has she been cursed or something?

She’s picking up the things she knocked over...

"What’s going on?" Alex asked as he exited the villa, surprised to see Alice picking things up off the ground.

Suddenly, it all made sense to Lily. No wonder Alice had stopped yelling at her...

"Nothing," Alice said with a smile, standing up and handing the bag back to Lily. "I accidentally knocked Lily’s bag over. Here you go, Lily. If you’re really in a hurry, you should go ahead."

"In a hurry?" Alex looked at Lily, concern flashing in his eyes. "Is something wrong?"

Lily shot a glance at Alice, then forced a smile. "It’s just a personal matter. I’ll be going now."

"I’ll walk you out," Alex offered immediately.

Alice’s face paled, her red lips pressing into a thin line.

"No need. I’ve already called a taxi. Goodbye," Lily said, keeping up the pretense of politeness. She brushed past Alex and walked toward the white picket fence, leaving the villa behind.

As she passed by, Alex’s hand twitched as though he wanted to reach out and stop her, but in the end, he let it fall back to his side.

Alice noticed everything, jealousy and anger flaring up inside her.

If Alex hadn’t been so distant and preoccupied lately, she wouldn’t have followed him here day after day.

She never expected that Lily had already met up with Alex.

She hadn’t been able to stop it.

The sound of the waves crashed in Lily’s ears as she glanced at the endless ocean before turning away.

Her heart felt empty, terribly empty...

The way Alice had wrapped her arm around Alex with such ease, with such natural affection—that was something Lily could never hope to have.

Dreamhouse.

The sea, the beach...

She would never come here again.

At the Blackwood estate, Lily skipped dinner and went straight to her room. Ethan’s phone call came in almost immediately.

"Hello, it’s Lily."

"Nanny says you refused to eat dinner," Ethan’s cold voice said. Go to eat. Otherwise, I’ll deal with you when I get back."

Nanny, you’re quick to tattle.

She had just gotten home.

Lily flopped onto the soft bed, her voice muffled as she said, "I don’t have an appetite. I don’t want to eat."

She wished she hadn’t gone to the seaside villa. Not only did she run into Alex, but Alice did as well.

What was the point of going?

"Lily, are you sulking?" Ethan chuckled softly on the other end.

"No."

How did he hear that she was sulking?

"Go eat. Your stomach can’t handle this kind of abuse. Otherwise, you’re not allowed to leave the house tomorrow," Ethan threatened.

"...Fine." Lily sighed and was about to hang up. "I’ll go eat now."

"Where did you go today?" Ethan asked, ignoring her attempt to end the conversation.

She heard the sound of papers rustling on the other end as if he were reviewing some documents.

"Just walked around," Lily said as she sat on the bed. After a moment, she added, "Are you in Germany now?"

"Yeah."

"Did you see your father?"

"Yeah."

"He didn’t hit you?"

"..." Ethan paused, his hand stilling over the papers. A smile tugged at the corner of his lips as his eyes darkened. "Lily, are you worried about me?"