30 Days of Passion and Revenge-Chapter 137: A Kiss in the Dark Alley

Humiliated by a man she had respected since childhood, stripped of her dignity.

And yet... he hadn’t been wrong about a single thing.

The gap between her and Alex Carter, from their cultural backgrounds to their essence, was vast...

"My father is a businessman who puts profit above all else. Don’t dwell on what he said," Alex patted her shoulder gently. "You’re the best woman I know."

Lily smiled and said goodbye to Alex as she stepped into the courtyard.

Usually, around this time, her aunt would have gathered her Mahjong friends for a game, but today, the house was eerily quiet.

In the living room, her aunt sat on the sofa, knitting a sweater, while her uncle sat across from her, reading the newspaper.

"Uncle, Aunt," Lily said softly, biting her lip as she stepped further inside.

Her uncle didn’t even look up, focusing on the newspaper.

"Well, well, what’s that smell? A whiff of a mistress, huh? Not busy rolling around in some rich man’s bed? What are you doing back here?" Her aunt’s voice was sharp and mocking as soon as Lily entered.

Lily’s face went pale. She lowered her head and said quietly, "I’ve left Ethan Blackwood."

Hearing this, her uncle finally looked up at her.

"Or maybe the rich man just kicked you out?" Her aunt sneered, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Got thrown out, so you come running back to your uncle’s house? Your uncle’s pride and dignity are in ruins because of you! He doesn’t even want to run the magazine anymore. He’s just sitting at home, living off his savings. You must be thrilled, right?"

Did Uncle stop running the magazine?

"Uncle..." Lily walked over to him.

"Don’t call me that. I failed as your uncle. I couldn’t even teach you properly," her uncle muttered, turning his large frame away.

"I know I was wrong, Uncle. I won’t make the same mistake again," Lily pleaded, desperate for his forgiveness.

"I said, don’t call me ’Uncle.’"

"Bang—"

Lily suddenly dropped to her knees, her voice trembling with emotion. "I know I was wrong, Uncle."

Her uncle’s body stiffened. He turned his head slightly, his eyes meeting her desperate gaze before he exited his seat. "Go ahead and kneel if you want."

With that, he turned and stormed out of the room.

"Disgraceful," her aunt spat with contempt before following him out.

Lily stubbornly continued to kneel.

From morning until afternoon, her legs had long since gone numb. Even when her aunt and uncle sat down for lunch, they didn’t call her to join them.

Her uncle was furious this time, treating her like she was invisible. He didn’t even glance in her direction once.

Occasionally, her aunt would walk by and throw out some biting remarks. "Look at what you’ve done! Now, your uncle and I can’t even publicly show our faces. Everyone in the neighborhood knows you’re just some rich man’s mistress!"

"You’re a curse!"

"What’s the difference between you and a prostitute from the red-light district?!"

Lily bit down hard on her lip, forcing herself to ignore her aunt’s words. Her uncle’s opinion mattered to her, not her sharp-tongued aunt.

Minutes passed, then hours. The sky gradually darkened.

Sleepiness crept up on her again, and just as her eyelids were about to close, her phone rang. She answered, "Hello, this is Lily Anderson."

"Have you had dinner yet?" Alex’s warm voice came through the phone.

"Mm," Lily lied, her hand resting on her empty stomach.

"What are you doing right now?" Alex’s voice held a smile like a gentle breeze.

"Uh..."

Her uncle suddenly walked out of the inner room. When he saw her on the phone, his face darkened with displeasure. Not wanting to worsen the misunderstanding, Lily quickly said, "I’m about to go to sleep."

"So early?" Alex sounded surprised.

"Mm," Lily replied, her eyes meeting her uncle’s. "Alex, I’m going to sleep now."

"Alright."

Alex didn’t push her, simply wishing her goodnight before hanging up.

"Hmph." Her uncle snorted in disdain before turning and leaving once again.

Lily didn’t even have time to explain before he was gone, leaving her no choice but to continue kneeling.

The small kitchen light flickered on, and the smell of food filled the air as her aunt began preparing dinner.

Lily rubbed her numb knees, feeling utterly exhausted. Her eyelids drooped, the sleepiness overwhelming her.

"Go buy some soy sauce."

Her uncle’s voice suddenly sounded beside her.

Lily snapped out of her drowsiness, staring at him in shock.

Uncle Robert pulled some money out of his pocket and handed it to her. "Take this and get a bottle of soy sauce from the corner store."

Lily’s eyes widened with surprise. "Uncle... you’re not mad at me anymore?"

Her uncle’s expression was stern as he asked, "Did you break things off with that Blackwood guy?"

"Yes." Lily nodded quickly, eager to reassure him.

"Then who was that on the phone just now?"

"That was Alex Carter—he’s an old friend. We’ve known each other since we were kids."

"Alright, go get the soy sauce," her uncle said, his tone softening slightly.

"Okay, got it." Lily stood up, her legs so numb that she almost collapsed the moment she did.

Her uncle quickly reached out to steady her, frowning. "Look at you. Kneeling for so long—what were you thinking?"

"I made a mistake, so I deserve the punishment," Lily said faintly. She let out a relieved sigh as she rubbed her tingling legs.

"Your father will be out soon. What are you going to do?" her uncle asked as he helped her to the sofa.

"I plan to keep it a secret from him. I don’t want him to think my downfall was because he couldn’t provide me with a better life.

"But how long can you keep that secret with your aunt’s big mouth?" her uncle muttered.

"I’ll find a place to live alone," Lily said.

"Alright, I’ll watch for you," her uncle said, patting her shoulder. "Don’t do anything foolish again. How could I ever be at peace spending the money you earned that way?"

Lily lowered her head in shame before finally lifting her gaze to say, "I’ll go get the soy sauce now."

After massaging her legs to ease the numbness, Lily stood and headed out the door.

The neighborhood was an old part of the city, an entire courtyard house. Only two or three streetlights illuminated the area at night, leaving most of the streets in near darkness.

As Lily walked down one of the dimly lit alleys, a shadow suddenly darted out from a nearby alleyway and grabbed her roughly, pulling her inside.

"Ah—"

Lily screamed, struggling with all her might.

Before she could do much, she was shoved into a corner, the dark figure pressing in on her, pinning her down. One hand clamped around her wrists, holding her arms in place.

"Help! Help—mmph!"

Her cry for help was cut off as the man’s lips covered hers, his hot tongue forcing its way into her mouth, devouring her, tasting her, claiming her in a passionate, aggressive kiss. His tongue ravaged her, licking and sucking every inch of her mouth, drinking in her sweetness.

This forceful kiss... this familiar scent...

It’s Ethan Blackwood.

How is he here in the dead of night?

Lily froze, momentarily forgetting to scream for help.

He had her trapped against the wall, kissing her with a ferocity that left no room for protest. His lips and tongue moved expertly over hers, dominating the kiss.

She had no chance to resist. His long leg slid between hers, pressing against her most sensitive spot, the heat of him igniting something deep inside her.

One large hand slipped up her skirt, touching her skin, his fingers kneading her flesh, igniting a fire that spread through her body.

The dark alley was filled with the intoxicating scent of desire...

If this continued, things would spiral out of control.

Lily knew this all too well. Realizing the danger, she began to struggle in earnest. But Ethan’s tongue continued its assault, ignoring her resistance, uncaring about her discomfort.

Frowning, Lily bit down hard.

"Hiss—" Ethan immediately withdrew, releasing a low grunt of pain.

That sound, that unmistakable growl of frustration, confirmed it for Lily—it was Ethan.

What does he want from me?!

Didn’t he already let me go?!

Pushing him away, Lily turned to leave the alley without a word, but she didn’t get far before he yanked her back, slamming her against the wall once more. His hand gripped her shoulder, holding her in place. "Lily Anderson, you dare bite me?"

"..." Lily didn’t respond, her disgust evident in her pushing against him.

"Answer me!"

Ethan growled, his voice low and dangerous. She knows it’s me, yet she won’t speak? Won’t even scream for help?

Lily shoved against his chest with all her strength, trying to put some distance between them.

Ethan grabbed her hands, pinning them to the wall, his lips brushing against her ear as he whispered darkly, "If you’re afraid I’ll rape you, then scream. Let someone come and save you."

The courtyard houses were densely packed. If she kept screaming, someone would hear her and come to help.

But then what? Even if someone came to save her, what difference would it make?

Most of the people living in this area were nosy old neighbors. If they saw her in this situation, being manhandled by a man...

It wasn’t just her reputation at stake. Her uncle would lose face, too.

Idle gossip could often be more cutting than any blade...

Especially since the man involved was Ethan Blackwood. She had just managed to earn her uncle’s forgiveness. If her uncle found out Ethan had done something like this, he’d jump to all the wrong conclusions.

He’d think she hadn’t really broken things off with Ethan.

"What’s the matter? Not going to scream? If you don’t, I might just take you right here."

Ethan’s words were crude and direct, laced with malice. He lowered his head and captured her lips once more, his hand moving to her chest, squeezing roughly.

How can he say such disgusting things?

His tongue, still slightly bleeding from where she had bitten him, pressed against her lips again, the taste of blood mixing between them...

Ethan was an expert when it came to seduction. His knee pressed between her legs again, and Lily couldn’t help but shiver. Her body trembling uncontrollably.

"Does Alex Carter make you feel this way?" Ethan taunted, noticing the way she was shaking. A wicked smile crossed his face as he moved his lips to her ear, sucking gently.

Her ear was one of her most sensitive spots.

Just as he expected, Lily’s body reacted, trembling in his arms.

There was no denying it—he had awakened her deepest desires.

"Still not going to scream? Are you that afraid of being caught by someone you know?" Ethan’s voice was still full of dark amusement, his tongue teasing her ear.

In the darkness, his hand brushed across her face, tracing her lips, which were pressed tightly together. She was forcing herself to stay silent.

She’s willing to take this quietly?

She’d rather endure this than scream for help?

Fine. If that’s what she wants, I’ll give it to her.

Ethan frowned slightly, his lips leaving her ear as he moved to kiss her again. His teeth grazed her lips, his intention clear—he was going to force her to open her mouth.

Lily winced in pain, keeping her lips firmly closed. She knew the moment she opened her mouth, he would invade her, taking complete control.