30 Days of Passion and Revenge-Chapter 128: Unwanted Care

"I’ve peacefully parted ways with Alice. If you’re going to write articles, focus on me. Please leave Alice out of it. She needs her own life and space—don’t disturb her." Alex Carter explained patiently, his demeanor exuding warmth and grace in front of the cameras.

The reporters continued to bombard him with questions.

Alex smiled and apologized before being ushered out of the private hospital by his bodyguards.

"I know Mr. Carter. I saw him that day when you were in the car with him," Aiko Nakamura said with a bright smile, her shining eyes fixed on Lily. "Lily, who do you like? Ethan or Mr. Carter?"

The one she liked... was Alex, of course.

From childhood to now, that has never changed.

The answer, unchanged for so long, should have been easy to say, but she couldn’t utter that name.

How strange...

I don’t owe Aiko any explanation about my personal life.

Lily told herself this.

"The bet on the gambling ship is only a few days away," Aiko said, blinking her big eyes. "I hope Mr. Carter wins you over..."

Am I a prize to be won in a bet?

Won or lost?

Why is my fate in the hands of two men? I’m a living person, too...

"Lily, who do you want to win?" Aiko’s wide eyes were filled with curiosity and hope as she asked.

What kind of question is that?

Lily looked at her calmly. "You’re asking the same question again."

"I know, but I want to know who’s in your heart. Or... do you like them both?!" Aiko continued, her persistence unwavering.

"It’s none of your business," Lily responded coldly, turning her head away from Aiko, refusing to meet her gaze.

"How is it, not my business? If you like Ethan, I’ll be even more motivated!" Aiko said with determination. "I’ll conquer him and savor the thrill of victory!"

...

Aiko’s logic...

Having a rival only makes her more determined.

"Natalie Walker, Emily Prescott, Beth Samson, Vanessa Mitchell..."

"What are you talking about?" Aiko asked, confused, as Lily rattled off a list of names.

"I’m counting how many rivals you have," Lily replied, glancing back at her.

"..." Aiko’s cheerful, innocent face froze for a moment, but then she blinked and smiled, saying, "It’s fine, it doesn’t matter. Even if there are many rivals, I’ll ultimately be the ultimate winner!"

Aiko’s optimism truly knew no bounds.

"Good luck with that," Lily said indifferently, standing up from her chair. Suddenly, her vision went black, and she felt dizzy. She quickly grabbed onto the table for support to steady herself.

"Lily, are you okay?"

"I’m fine," Lily replied, shaking her head.

Is my body getting worse? How can I feel dizzy just from skipping meals for half a day?

Lily made her way toward the maid’s quarters, her mind filled with thoughts of the news about Alex’s gunshot wound.

How is he doing now?

He seemed calm in front of the reporters and had already been discharged. So it can’t be that serious, right?

As soon as she lay down in the small room, her thoughts were jumbled, but the moment her head hit the pillow, she fell into a deep, dreamless sleep.

It felt like she hadn’t slept this deeply in a long time.

Lily dreamed of walking hand-in-hand with her parents, weaving through crowds at a grand banquet... then she dreamed of the moment she identified her mother’s body in the morgue...

Amid her dreams, Ethan’s handsome yet cold face suddenly appeared in her vision. Lily blinked, thinking she was still dreaming, and couldn’t help but let out a small laugh.

Why would I dream of this devil alongside my parents?

"Lily... Lily..."

Someone was shaking her shoulder, and a voice kept calling her name by her ear.

In her dream, her father was playing ball with her in the garden, calling out to her with a gentle smile, "Lily, throw the ball to me... Come on, Lily, throw the ball over... Lily, Lily...

It was as if someone had pressed the slow-motion button. Everything in the dream was a blur, except for her father, who kept calling her name.

"Lily... Lily... Wake up! If you don’t, I’ll throw water on you!"

Someone kept tugging at her arm, causing Lily to stir uncomfortably. Slowly, she opened her tired eyes. Her father was still smiling at her, his gaze full of warmth and affection...

"Dad?" Lily whispered in disbelief.

"..."

Tears suddenly streamed down her face as she bolted upright, throwing herself into his arms, crying out loudly, "Dad... Dad... I’ve missed you so much..."

All the pent-up grievances poured out in that moment.

It was deep into the night, and the tiny maid’s room lights were off. Ethan sat on the edge of the bed, his entire body jolting when Lily suddenly threw herself into his arms.

She was not fully awake, calling him "Dad" repeatedly.

He had come to reprimand her. Nanny had told him that Lily hadn’t eaten a single bite all day, and in his frustration, he had flipped over the dining table.

This woman is using her own body to fight me.

And I’m falling for it!

"Dad..." Lily sobbed, her tears soaking through his shirt.

Ethan’s expression was dark and brooding, but after a long moment, he lifted his hand and held her slender body. His fingers brushing against the warmth of her skin sent a jolt through him.

Her soft fragrance surrounded him, and Ethan tightened his hold on her without thinking.

"Dad, I’m doing well, really," Lily murmured through her tears, her voice low and hoarse. "When you get out, I’ll buy us a big house... We’ll be together forever. I’ll take care of you; I can take care of you.

Ethan held her, his lips pressed into a thin line.

Even in her dreams, she’s only telling her father the good things, hiding all her pain?

Does she think she’s doing well? If she’s doing so well, why is she crying like this?

"Lily." Ethan cupped her face, wiping away her tears bit by bit.

"Dad... I’m fine, I’m doing fine..." Lily sobbed, still murmuring in her sleep.

"Then why are you crying?" Ethan asked, playing along with her dream.

"I’m not crying... I’m not..." Lily choked on her words, and after a long pause, she added in a small voice, "Dad, I’m hungry."

Stubborn girl.

In the darkness, Ethan reached for the pillow, propped her up carefully, then turned on the light.

Nanny had brought the dinner tray to the room earlier. Ethan took the food to the small kitchen and heated it in the microwave.

When he returned, Lily opened her eyes, staring at him with red, puffy eyes.

"You’re awake?" Ethan asked coolly, carrying the dinner tray to the bed.

Lily leaned against the headboard, her eyes still fixed on him. Her face was streaked with tears, and she waved her hand in front of him as if testing something. When Ethan’s handsome face didn’t disappear, she let out a bitter laugh. "Why is it always Ethan Blackwood?"

Just a moment ago, she had been dreaming of her father.

How had it turned into Ethan Blackwood so quickly?

Couldn’t she dream of her family without Ethan barging in? One represented warmth, the other terror.

After speaking, Lily buried herself in the warm blankets, curling up to go back to sleep.

Ethan stood at the bedside, his face dark and unreadable.

What does she mean by "always Ethan Blackwood"?

What’s wrong with me? She doesn’t want to dream about me?!

Ethan slammed the dinner tray onto the bedside table, his face full of displeasure. He then grabbed her and flipped her over roughly, growling, "Lily Anderson, get up and eat!"

Lily twisted uncomfortably, her head dizzy, and her eyes fluttered open...

The scent of the food filled the room, making her hunger pangs even more noticeable.

Her vision was blurry, and Ethan’s face seemed to waver before her eyes.

Am I still dreaming?

"I don’t want to eat," Lily mumbled, her head pounding as she closed her eyes again, finding some relief in the darkness.

What is this woman trying to pull?!

"You just said you were hungry!" Ethan growled through gritted teeth. I even went out of my way to heat the dinner for her. I haven’t eaten yet, and I’m here serving this princess...

What more does she want?!

She said she was hungry.

Yes, I’m hungry. I am so hungry that I feel dizzy and can barely stand.

Lily buried her face into the pillow, muttering in a daze, "Dad, I’ll eat; Ethan Blackwood, I won’t."

So she’s willing to eat when her dad is here, but the moment she sees me, she refuses?!

Unbelievable!

Lily Anderson, you’ve got some nerve!

Fine! Starve if you want!

Ethan glared at her tear-streaked face and turned to leave, but his tall, imposing figure hesitated just as he reached the door. Then he stormed back, his voice dripping with frustration, "Lily Anderson! I must be crazy to care about you!"

Damn it!

Ethan sat on the edge of the bed, pulled her into a sitting position, and propped her up against his shoulder. He scooped up a spoonful of porridge and pressed it to her lips, his tone harsh. "Lily Anderson, if you don’t eat, I’ll kill you!"

Lily, still half-asleep, opened her eyes and obediently swallowed the porridge. "Ethan Blackwood, all you do is threaten people."

Even in my dreams, he’s threatening me.

He’s such a terrifyingly overbearing man.

Eating shouldn’t come with so many words—it’s like he’s drunk.

"Mm... You’re only good at committing crimes."

"..." Ethan clenched his teeth. Is she faking sleep? Trying to make fun of me?!

Lily continued eating the porridge, cooperating with each spoonful, but muttering, "At the time, I wanted to call the police... A rapist like you should be in jail! How are you still walking free?!"

Damn woman!

Ethan had to resist the urge to slam the spoon against her face.

Barely managing to keep his temper in check, he pressed the bowl of porridge directly to her lips, forcing her to drink it.

"Mm..." Lily turned her head away in protest. "I’m the one who set off the fire alarm."

"What?"

Ethan paused. What is she talking about?

"You’re so detestable. I’ve never met anyone as vile as you.

If you’re kind, stay kind. If you’re cruel, stay cruel. Why do you keep going back and forth?

Lily mumbled to herself, then collapsed into his arms, falling back asleep.

"Bang—"

Ethan threw the spoon against the wall in frustration.

Lily lay on the bed, sleeping soundly. Ethan glared at her, his gaze dark and stormy. After what felt like an eternity, he finally asked in a low voice, "Lily Anderson, do you hate me that much?"

Hate me enough to go on a hunger strike?

Hate me enough to dream about mocking me?

In your eyes, am I nothing more than a rapist, a violent brute, a piece of trash, a madman?

But you belong to this piece of trash, and you always will. You’ll never be anyone else’s.

And Alex Carter can forget about it.

"...LLily rolled over in bed, continuing to sleep peacefully.

Ethan’s gaze softened as he watched her. He gently brushed a strand of hair from her face, took out his phone, and made a call, his voice icy cold. "I agree to your terms."

"You really are a man of action, Mr. Blackwood," came the voice on the other end, followed by a chuckle.

"She will be mine. After this, no one else can ever touch her."

"Of course."

Ethan’s eyes flashed with a dangerous glint as he ended the call.