30 Days of Passion and Revenge-Chapter 135: A Moment of Tranquility

Lily looked at the sound and watched as the roof above them slowly opened, revealing the vast night sky. A thick layer of glass above them slid away, exposing the breathtaking sight of countless twinkling stars.

The entire dark expanse of the night hung above them, with stars shining so brightly it was almost magical. It felt as if she could reach out and touch the sky.

Lily stared in awe, breathlessly whispering, "It’s so beautiful."

"I saw this kind of design at a friend’s house in the U.S. and knew right away you would love it," Alex said, sitting on the tatami mat, watching her gaze at the stars. He smiled with satisfaction.

"Click—"

Suddenly, Alex turned off the lights, making the starlight above them even more dazzling and brilliant.

"It’s even better if you lie down," Alex said, pulling her down to lie beside him on the tatami.

The entire sky stretched above her, so beautiful it left her in awe.

"I also have a telescope. Do you want to look at the stars through it?" Alex lay on his side next to her, propping his head up with one hand, gazing at her face with a gentle smile.

After nine long years, he was finally able to be this close to her. Seeing the stars reflected in her eyes, Alex felt a deep sense of fulfillment, like a long-cherished dream finally realized.

It felt so good.

A telescope to look at the stars?

Lily’s gaze flickered as she stared up at the sky. In a quiet, raspy voice, she asked, "Do you know about Sirius?"

"I’ve heard of it. It’s in the southern sky, but it’s hard to see this time of year. I can get the telescope for you."

"No need."

"The telescope is just in the cabinet."

"It’s okay. Seeing the stars with our eyes is more magical than seeing a telescope.

"Alright then."

Alex nodded and rolled over to lie beside her, mimicking her posture with his hands resting behind his head. He was quietly watching the sky. "I used to lie here alone, looking at the stars."

"Really? It’s wonderful here."

"But it’s lonely when you’re alone, especially when you don’t know when you’ll finally be able to share it with the one you love."

"Lily, have you ever considered me over these nine years?"

How could I not have?

You’ve always held such a significant place in my heart...

"Yes," Lily softly replied.

Hearing her answer, Alex smiled, his heart swelling with joy. After a moment, he asked, "When you go back, will you continue working as a reporter?" 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

"No. My father doesn’t like the idea of me working as a paparazzo. I’ve kept it a secret from him."

"When your father is released, it wouldn’t be convenient for him to stay at your uncle’s house. How about I buy a place for you both in the city?" Alex suggested gently.

He wanted to take care of everything for her, to make her life easy.

"Alex, I want to do it on my own," Lily said in a soft, almost inaudible voice.

"You’re a woman. You shouldn’t have to worry about things like that."

"I don’t want to be a parasite," Lily said stubbornly, her gaze still fixed on the stars. "As long as I’m alive, I want to be the one to take care of my father."

The sound of the waves crashing against the shore echoed from afar. The sky above was impossibly beautiful, everything filled with romance...

Sleepiness crept over Lily, and she blinked hard, trying to shake off the exhaustion.

I’ve been sleeping so much lately.

Why do I still feel like I haven’t gotten enough sleep?

I’m so tired.

Her eyelids grew heavier and heavier, slowly shutting out the stunning view of the starry sky.

"Lily..."

Alex was slightly displeased by her refusal. "How about this: I’ll go to France with you both when your father gets out? I’ll help you enroll in a directing course. In a few years, you’ll be an excellent director. Paris is beautiful—I’ve been there twice, and it’s..."

Alex trailed off in mid-sentence as he turned his head to look at her.

Lily had fallen asleep, her long lashes casting soft shadows on her pale skin. Her lips were slightly parted, and her breathing was steady and peaceful.

Did she fall asleep this quickly?

Was I that boring? Did I talk her to sleep?

He had thought that she would be as sleepless as he was tonight.

Alex gently brushed his fingers across her cheek and leaned down to kiss her forehead softly, his voice tender, "Lily, I love you."

Please, get ready to accept me soon, will you?

I’ve waited long enough...

If I wait any longer, I’m afraid... she might not be mine.

Alex shut the skylight and stood up, lifting Lily into his arms. She was so light, her slender body warm and fragile against his chest, and she was sound asleep.

Carrying her, Alex walked toward the bedroom.

The following day, Lily woke up in the same dreamlike bedroom she had slept in the last time.

She touched the small stuffed bear on the bedside table and sat in bed. Today, it’s time to go back to Uncle’s house.

What kind of storm is brewing there right now? Uncle must be furious.

This is a hurdle I have to face.

After Ethan’s rampage at her uncle’s house, she almost lost the courage to return.

That’s why she had allowed Alex to bring her to the seaside villa last night. She needed time to mentally prepare herself, to gather the strength to face her uncle and everything else awaiting her at home...

"Knock knock—"

There was a soft knock at the door.

Lily paused momentarily, running her fingers through her long hair as she opened the door.

Alex stood there, looking at her with a smile in his eyes. His voice was warm and gentle. "I was about to come in and kiss Sleeping Beauty awake if you didn’t open the door."

Lily couldn’t help but laugh. "You’re up early."

"I was planning to sneak a kiss, but... I failed." Alex put on a mock-disappointed expression, though his noble demeanor remained intact. His eyes sparkled. "Go freshen up, and I’ll see you downstairs for breakfast."

"Alright."

Lily watched as Alex turned and walked away, and for a moment, she stood still, lost in thought.

This is my first morning free from Ethan Blackwood, waking up in Alex’s seaside villa.

Lily walked over to the window. Outside, the sun shone brightly, the sea was calm, and seabirds flew freely across the sky.

Everything was so beautiful.

And Ethan?

He’s probably got another woman in his arms—Aiko Nakamura or some other starlet...

Maybe he’s rolling around in bed with someone right now?!

Lily tapped her head with her hand, scolding herself inwardly. Why am I thinking about Ethan? This is ridiculous.

Starting today, my goal is to forget Ethan Blackwood and the life I lived over the past month.

Lily took a deep breath, inhaling the fresh, salty sea air, feeling a sense of peace.

The birds were singing, and the flowers were in bloom.

A beautiful day was beginning.

After washing up, Lily went downstairs to the dining room, where Alex and Butler Aston were busy in the kitchen. Butler Aston taught Alex how to make a vegetable salad, and Alex seemed wholly absorbed in the task.

"Yes, yes, just like that."

Is Alex trying to become a chef now?

"Woof, woof!"

A large white dog suddenly charged toward her, leaping into her arms with such force that she nearly fell over.

"Bobi!" Lily exclaimed, hugging the dog tightly. "I’ve missed you!"

It does have the routine of a retired old man—so predictable...

Hearing Lily’s voice, Alex looked up from the salad-making process. "You and Bobi head to the beach and wait for us. Aston and I will bring breakfast over in a bit."

"The beach?"

Lily needed clarification. We’re eating breakfast at the beach?

"Miss, you should go ahead. If you stay here, the young master won’t be able to focus on making breakfast," Aston teased with a smile.

Lily nodded, patting Bobi’s head as she left the villa. In the distance, she could see a white yacht docked by the blue sea...

So we’re having breakfast on the yacht.

Opening the gate and stepping outside, she heard Alex’s voice calling behind her. "Lily..."

Lily turned around, puzzled. "What is it?"

Alex jogged over and hugged her tightly, his arms wrapping around her back. Lily froze, not pushing him away but not returning the hug either. "Alex?"

"Nothing. I just wanted to hold you," Alex murmured, his voice filled with a hint of longing.

Far off on the beach, a silver sports car was parked. The driver sat nervously in the front seat, not daring to make a sound as he glanced at Ethan in the passenger seat. The air around Ethan was suffocating.

Mr. Blackwood had made him drive to this spot in the middle of the night. They had been sitting here for hours, from dusk until dawn, with Ethan silently reviewing business reports.

Suddenly, Alex emerged from the white villa and wrapped Lily in his arms.

And she didn’t resist...

Ethan’s eyes darkened as he stared at the two of them, the sight of their embrace cutting into him like a blade.

"Snap—"

The expensive pen in Ethan’s hand snapped in two.

He sat there, frozen, unable to stop himself from jumping out of the car and confronting them... She had returned to Alex’s villa with him, and after a whole night together, who knew what they had done?

The driver shivered, feeling the tension in the air, and then Ethan’s icy voice broke the silence inside the car. "Did they sleep together last night?"

What?!

Did Mr. Blackwood’s woman spend the night with another man? How could I even answer that...

The driver didn’t dare respond, his eyes flicking nervously between Ethan and the couple, still embracing outside the villa. How much longer are they going to hug out there?

If they want to hug, why not do it inside? Why must they do it right before Mr. Blackwood’s line of sight?

"What do you do when the woman you like is in your room?" Ethan asked, his gaze still fixed on the distant villa, his voice cold and menacing.

"Answer me!"

Ethan’s bone-chilling voice caused the driver to tremble uncontrollably as he stammered, "You... you go to bed with her."

It’s just a man’s basic instinct...

Wanting the woman you like is entirely average...

"Is that so?" Ethan’s tone was eerily calm, almost too quiet.

The driver breathed a sigh of relief, grateful that Mr. Blackwood wasn’t expressing his anger toward him.

But three seconds later, his head was slammed against the steering wheel. Ethan’s face was twisted with rage as he glared at him. "You think they slept together, huh?!"

Ethan’s grip was so firm that the driver’s face was nearly pressed into the steering wheel, his entire body trembling as he stammered, "Mr. Blackwood... I-I-I was wrong.

Wrong?

No, I wasn’t wrong at all.

With Alex and Lily together, it’s inevitable—how could they not have slept together?

My woman, in another man’s bed, moaning in pleasure under Alex Carter’s touch... and I’m forced to sit here and watch!

What a joke.

Ethan Blackwood, you’re pathetic!

"Mr. Blackwood, please... please let me go." the driver begged, his voice shaky. If he keeps pressing me like this, I’m dead for sure.

"If you don’t know what to say, shut your mouth!" Ethan spat, finally releasing him.

The driver’s neck was red and bruised from Ethan’s grip, a testament to the sheer force he had just endured.

Lily Anderson...

Lily, did you spend your first night with Alex?! You couldn’t wait, could you?!

"Yes, sir," the driver mumbled, his voice full of fear as he glanced at Ethan’s cold, murderous expression.

"Bang—"

Ethan pushed the car door open and strode toward them, but just as he got close, he stopped, watching Lily pull away from Alex’s embrace.