30 Days of Passion and Revenge-Chapter 131: Deadly Choices

The dealer was the first to react. Seeing that Lily still had the gun pressed to her temple, she didn’t try to snatch it away but asked calmly, "The last chamber contains the bullet. Whoever you choose will lose, but it’s up to the participant whether or not to pull the trigger."

Upon hearing this, Alex glanced across the table at Ethan, only to see that Ethan’s dark eyes were locked on Lily.

If she dares point the gun at me, I’ll pull the trigger for sure.

But the target will definitely be Alex.

Ethan stood up from the table, his gaze cold and menacing. His entire presence radiates dominance and arrogance.

"I choose Ethan Blackwood."

Lily didn’t spare Ethan a glance as she said the words calmly.

"Whoa—"

The crowd erupted in gasps of disbelief.

"Lily Anderson!"

Ethan growled, his voice filled with a chilling menace that made everyone’s heart race.

She actually dared to point the final shot at him? She must have a death wish!

"Please hand the gun to Mr. Blackwood," the dealer said professionally, extending her gloved hand toward Lily.

Lily didn’t move. Instead, she turned her gaze toward Alex. Alex let out a silent sigh of relief, smiling at her with a look of fondness.

His refined, aristocratic demeanor, those bright, star-like eyes, and the gentle curve of his lips...

"Take good care of my father," Lily said, her voice hoarse and filled with sorrow as silent tears rolled down her cheeks. She gave him a bitter smile.

Alex’s eyes widened in shock, staring at her as she closed her eyes and pressed the gun to her own temple, her finger tightening on the trigger.

In a split second, before anyone could react, Ethan lunged forward, kicking Lily’s leg with all his strength.

"Bang—"

The deafening sound of the gunshot echoed through the gambling room.

"Ah—"

A scream erupted from one of the ladies in the crowd.

Lily’s leg buckled in pain, and she fell to the ground unscathed.

The bullet had embedded itself in the wall.

Lily lay on the floor, her body falling back as she collapsed.

She blinked in confusion, her wide eyes meeting Ethan’s as he breathed heavily over her. His dark eyes revealed a storm of conflicting emotions.

Did I just see fear in his eyes?

Ethan Blackwood, afraid?

What could possibly scare him?

If I had died, he wouldn’t have to keep remembering that he’d been "cheated on," right?

Ethan stood beside her, his handsome face pale.

Just moments away... If I hadn’t kicked her in time, she would have died...

Does she really want to die that badly?

She pointed the last shot at me but aimed the gun at herself. Was this her way of taking a bullet for me?

She wants me to lose but not to die?

Lily Anderson, what are you thinking...?

Lily lay motionless on the floor, staring dazedly into Ethan’s dark eyes.

She didn’t even have the strength to move. It felt like she’d been walking along the edge of death, balancing on a precarious scale...

"Lily."

Alex knelt beside her, still shaken, and gently wiped her face with a handkerchief before lifting her into his arms.

Lily’s gaze shifted away from Ethan.

In the past, Ethan would have punched Alex by now. But this time, he stood frozen, unable to move a muscle.

"You’ve lost," Alex said quietly as he lifted Lily, his expression devoid of arrogance or triumph. He looked at Ethan with calm detachment. "Don’t come looking for us again."

With that, Alex turned and carried Lily away.

The crowd parted, making a path for them.

Ethan remained silent, entirely out of character. His dark, unfathomable eyes stayed locked on their retreating figures.

Ethan’s uncharacteristic quietness made Lily uneasy.

Is this really the calm before the storm? His bodyguards are all over the ship, yet he hasn’t given the order to stop us.

Is it really over?

Am I finally free from Ethan Blackwood?

As Alex carried her, Lily instinctively glanced back, meeting Ethan’s deep, penetrating gaze.

He stood there for a long time, unmoving...

"Ethan?" Aiko Nakamura approached him cautiously, her face full of concern. "Are you okay?"

"Get lost!"

Ethan growled, pushing Aiko to the ground.

Nobody in the gambling room dared to make a sound as they watched Alex carry Lily away...

Ethan stood rooted in place, a statue-like figure.

For a long time... he simply stared in the direction they had gone.

"Crash—"

Suddenly, Ethan grabbed a chair and smashed it against the floor, the sturdy wood splintering into pieces.

I let her go.

Those two disgusting people—I can’t even be bothered to dirty my hands by killing them.

Get out!

Both of you, get out!

Lily Anderson! You’d better hope you never regret today’s decision! Don’t you dare regret it!

Apart from the bodyguards, the aristocrats and socialites quietly slipped away.

"Ah—"

Ethan’s anguished scream reverberated through the room, filled with rage and despair, sending chills down everyone’s spine.

It was destined to be an uneasy night.

Even after getting into Alex’s sports car, Lily couldn’t shake the feeling that none of it was real.

She had been back and forth under Ethan’s control for so long. He was a devil, never one to let go, self-centered to the extreme...

Yet this time, Alex had carried her away, and Ethan hadn’t said a single word.

Maybe he was finally done with her. He was probably glad to throw her away like trash.

This was the perfect opportunity.

The smile on Alex’s face hadn’t disappeared since they left the ship. One hand rested on the steering wheel while the other held hers, bringing her hand to his lips for a gentle kiss.

"Lily, you have nothing to do with him anymore."

Alex’s voice was filled with joy.

Lily didn’t smile. She stared blankly at his profile, her voice dry as she said, "He’s a man who holds grudges."

From what I know of Ethan Blackwood, he won’t let this go.

There’s no way he’ll just let us be.

Or maybe... Ethan has already planned how to deal with us?

"What kind of man he is has nothing to do with me," Alex said calmly, intertwining his fingers with hers. He turned to look at her with a soft, loving expression. "Lily, we’re together now."

Together?

Lily looked down at their interlocked fingers, still feeling a sense of unreality.

Just moments ago, I hadn’t even imagined escaping Ethan Blackwood so quickly... And now, Alex is telling me I have nothing to do with Ethan anymore.

"Lily." Seeing the distant, unsettled look in her eyes, Alex couldn’t help but call her name.

What’s on her mind?

Is she thinking about what just happened? or about Ethan?

"Hm?" Lily lifted her gaze.

"Don’t ever do something so dangerous again. You scared me to death. Alex lowered his head, kissing her pale hand gently, his voice filled with tender concern.

He had reacted slower than Ethan. He thought he knew Lily well enough, never believing she’d be the type to harm herself. She didn’t have the madness he did...

But just moments ago, she had fired two shots at herself...

That was something he had never anticipated.

Lily had already pointed the gun at Ethan. Why did she turn it on herself?

Does she not want Ethan to die?

Does she love him?

"And what about you?" Lily asked, meeting his gaze. "Why did you agree to such a dangerous bet?"

"Because I love you," Alex answered without hesitation, his confession soft and sincere, his eyes full of unwavering affection. "Lily, from the time we were children until now, I’ve only ever loved you." 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

From childhood until now, I’ve only loved you.

Her heart couldn’t help but tremble at his words.

I should be happy, shouldn’t I? I’ve always dreamed of becoming Alex’s bride... Hearing such a heartfelt confession, why don’t I feel the joy I expected?

Alex cast her a doting glance before returning to the road and continuing to drive.

Lily stared at him, her emotions tangled in a mess. After a long while, she slowly withdrew her hand from his.

Alex’s brows furrowed slightly as he glanced at his now-empty hand. He gave her a deep, thoughtful look before continuing to drive silently. After a long pause, he stubbornly asked, "Lily, do you love me?"

Lily’s lips trembled slightly, and she pressed them together for a long time, unable to say a word.

I’ve always believed Alex was the only man I’d ever love in this lifetime.

The answer should be easy—it shouldn’t even require thought.

But why, after leaving Ethan Blackwood, can I still not say those words?

Alex’s smile turned bitter when he didn’t get his desired answer. The soft music playing in the car seemed to mock the heavy silence as he asked quietly, "Do you still love him?"

Love who?

Ethan Blackwood?

Did I ever love Ethan? How could I possibly love a man who’s always treated me with violence—a man who’s destroyed my life?

He’s rewritten my entire existence.

"Alex, I... with Ethan, it’s..."

"You finally called me Alex?" Alex interrupted her with a smile, brushing a strand of her hair behind her ear.

Lily lowered her gaze, her eyes fixed on the road ahead as she continued, her voice stiff, "Ethan and I only met a little over a month ago. That day..."

"I don’t want to know."

Alex cut her off again, his face stubborn, his tone heavy.

Lily turned her gaze to him, startled.

Alex touched her shoulder, forcing a smile as he said gently, "Don’t tell me anything about what happened between you and him. I don’t want to know."

He doesn’t want to know, and I don’t want to say it either.

Those were the darkest, dirtiest, most shameful days of my life...

If I told him, would Alex even want to touch me again? Would he stop caring about me altogether?

Or worse, would we even be friends after that?

Looking at her face’s paleness, Alex repeated firmly, "I really don’t want to know."

Lily smiled, nodding without saying anything more, and returned to the road ahead.

The road they were on led to the seaside villa—they would be there soon.

"Do you want to know about Alice?" Alex suddenly asked.

Hearing him mention Alice Johnson, Lily paused momentarily before nodding lightly.

As they drove, Alex remained silent for a moment before speaking. "We met at a banquet. After one dance, she started pursuing me, even though she knew I was looking for you."

His voice was calm and soft, blending with the sound of the ocean waves in the background music playing in the car.

"She started mirroring you, dressing in princess gowns. I didn’t stop her. I even told her a lot about your habits."

Lily stared at Alex in disbelief, his gentle, princely demeanor making his words all the more shocking.

"I didn’t know how to end it with her once you reappeared. But when you exposed her that day, it gave me the perfect opportunity."

"Everyone thinks I’m a nice guy, always polite and smiling." Alex paused, letting out a self-deprecating laugh. "But deep down, I’m just an asshole. I used her to fill a void of loneliness, then waited for an excuse to leave her."

Lily stared at his mocking smile, suddenly feeling a pang of regret. No matter how Alice had treated her, she had genuinely loved Alex.