30 Days of Passion and Revenge-Chapter 51: Nocturne Melancholy
A hotel staff member looked at her curiously, which reminded Lily of her mission to retrieve her ring. She followed the staff member, explaining, "Excuse me, Iβm Mr. Blackwoodβs companion. I donated my ring earlier..." ππ£π²ππ¨π²ππ»πΌπ―π²π.π°ππ¦
When she arrived at the auction preparation room, she removed the cumbersome jewelry and replaced it with her gemstone ring. As she slipped it onto her ring finger, she felt a sense of relief, knowing that she wouldnβt provoke Ethanβs anger. But then, staring at her delicate finger, she was reminded of the diamond ring on Alexβs hand, and a pang of sorrow struck her heart.
Why did fate insist on bringing them together despite their growing distance?
Lily knew she couldnβt return to the charity auction gala. Alex was there to pick up Alice Johnson, and she wasnβt foolish enough to confront them. She took the elevator to the hotel lobby and entered the night, where her dedicated driver was waiting in the luxurious car.
"Tell Mr. Blackwood that Iβm tired and wonβt be attending the gala," she told the driver, who was reading a newspaper.
"Yes, Miss Lily," the driver responded, quickly discarding the paper and calling Ethan.
Without waiting for the driver to finish his call, Lily leaned back in the seat, lost in thought, the haunting melody of the night still echoing in her ears. She opened her palm to reveal the neatly folded paper with Alexβs phone numbers, now warm from her grip. She didnβt need to memorize them; she had already committed them to memory. But how could she ever find the courage to call him? What would she even say?
"Alex, how have you been? When are you getting married? Where are you going for your honeymoon?" These seemingly trivial questions would cut deep.
The car door suddenly opened, and Ethanβs fiery gaze fell upon her. Without waiting for her to speak, he angrily roared, "Lily, how dare you make me wait? Where have you been?"
Ethan was furious, slamming his hand against the car. He had been worried when she took more than an hour to return from the restroom, so he sent female staff to search for her. But here she was, resting in the car.
Was she always going to provoke him like this?
Lily feigned weakness, pretending to be dizzy and apologizing for not returning to the gala. Seeing her pale face and the act she put on, Ethan swallowed his anger. He decided to take her to the hospital instead.
In the car, Ethan noticed the paper square in her hand and, without a second thought, tossed it out the window, not realizing its significance to her. Lily breathed a sigh of relief; the crisis was averted.
Unaware of her relief, Ethan was surprised when she leaned into him. He found her sudden obedience amusing and even pinched her cheek in approval. Lily continued to lean on him, her body relaxing under his touch as he massaged her arms. The sensation was surprisingly pleasant, starkly contrasting with his usual rough treatment.
But then, his touch moved to her chest, and Lilyβs heart sank. Despite her protests of feeling unwell, Ethan was relentless in his advances. She could only close her eyes and wish for the hospital to arrive quickly, hoping to escape his lustful intentions.
However, the driver, seemingly understanding Ethanβs desires, drove slowly, prolonging their journey. Lily was frustrated but resigned, knowing Ethan would not be deterred.
Ethanβs desire was insatiable, and he did not attempt to hide it. He ordered the driver to stop the car and sent him away, leaving them alone. Lily braced herself for what was to come, knowing there would be no reprieve.
In the privacy of the car, with the cityβs lights passing by outside, Ethan and Lily were once again entangled in a passionate encounter. The hospital was forgotten, and they returned to Ethanβs villa, where a private doctor attended to her.
Then, Lily discovered she had a high fever of 39 degrees Celsius, which explained her discomfort. She had been so accustomed to Ethanβs harsh treatment that she hadnβt noticed her fever.
The doctor, a young man with a sense of justice, advised her to rest and avoid strenuous activities. When Ethan arrived, he was alarmed by her condition. The doctorβs advice to avoid "strenuous activities" left Ethan furious, but Lily couldnβt help but find amusement.
She taunted him with the term "bedroom activities," knowing it would infuriate him. Ethan, not one to be denied, ordered more doctors to attend to her, but Lily pleaded for rest, feeling exhausted.
Ultimately, she referred to herself as his mistress, a pet whose only duty was to please him. Her words were self-deprecating, but they revealed the harsh reality of her situation.
Lily, with a heavy heart, found herself entangled in the intricate web of Ethanβs life. She knew being with him was akin to walking a tightrope, where one misstep could lead to falling into the abyss. Yet, here she was, caught in his snare of power and desire, trying to navigate the precarious balance between safety and peril.
"I understand," Lily began, her voice laced with a bitter self-mockery. "I am but your mistress, now more akin to a pet whose sole duty is to entertain you."
Ethan clenched his fists, a wave of discomfort washing over him. Wasnβt she always the one with an air of indifference and pride? What had led her to speak so demeaningly of herself? He had never treated her as a pet; he despised her defiance. If only she would be more compliant.
Lilyβs lips curled into a bitter smile as she continued, "If you truly desire something without the doctorβs consent... surely, they exaggerate. Could a few instances truly exhaust me to death?"
Lilyβs body trembled slightly as she spoke, her vulnerability and helplessness on full display. Ethan, however, was unmoved. He had seen her throw tantrums, show submission, and plead pitifully, yet he remained resolute, acting on his whims.
"Enough," Ethan interrupted her, his tone harsh and dismissive. With that, he leaped onto the bed, the scent of his recent shower enveloping him as he pulled her into his embrace.
Lily felt a surge of frustration. No matter what tactic she employed, it seemed futile against Ethanβs unyielding nature. She had tried everything, yet he continued to act as he pleased.
Ethanβs hand came to a rest, not venturing further, simply holding her close. His chin nuzzled the top of her head, and he whispered, "Lily, I will tolerate this for three days."
Three days. If her illness did not improve, he would no longer heed the doctorβs warnings. Lily, realizing that Ethan would not harm her, relaxed into his embrace.
The room fell silent, the only sound was their breathing. After a while, Lily, lying on his chest, almost drifted off to sleep when she heard Ethanβs deep voice, resonating through his chest, "Lily, I canβt sleep."
What did his insomnia have to do with her? Couldnβt he work on his studies as he usually does? His study was filled with documents and complex books beyond her comprehension. She had even considered exposing his confidential files to ruin the Carter Group and Ethan himself, but she knew she would never see that day; Ethan would eliminate her first.
Ignoring him, Lily feigned sleep. "Asleep?" Ethan pinched her cheek, displeased with her apparent slumber. "Stubborn woman, you fell asleep so quickly."
In her mind, Lily cursed him a hundred times over. She opened her eyes a crack and saw Ethanβs hand reach for the remote control by the bedside. The piano music filled the room, but Ethan quickly adjusted the volume, leaving only a faint melody.
Was he lowering the volume for her to avoid disturbing her rest? Lily was taken aback, rarely witnessing such consideration from Ethan. As she listened to Chopinβs soft notes, her drowsiness vanished.
The melancholy and soothing piano tunes returned memories of her reunion with Alex Carter. His embrace, the tremble in his heart, his gentle eyes, and the hurt in his gazeβeverything was etched in her mind.
"Lily, Iβve been looking for you for so long," Alex had said. "Lily, do you have a boyfriend?" "Lily, donβt leave..."
Sleep was now a distant thought. The piano music transitioned from one piece to another, all by Chopin. The sadness in the music pained her, making her heart ache.
Suddenly, Ethanβs arms moved, gently shifting Lily to the side of the bed and covering her with the blanket. He got up, his movements surprisingly light for someone known for assertiveness. Lily pretended to sleep, only to feel the IV tube tugged at, the incredible sensation of the fluid ceasing.
Ethan returned to bed, and the piano music stopped abruptly as he turned off the sound system. He pulled Lily back into his arms, holding her like a cherished doll.
Lily, facing away from him, was shocked into stillness. She couldnβt decipher her feelingsβwas it astonishment, surprise, disbelief, or something more?
Could Ethanβs reason for staying awake be to ensure she finished her IV drip to prevent air from entering her veins? No, surely not. Ethan had never shown her such respect or consideration.
As these thoughts swirled in her mind, Lily found comfort in the silence of Chopinβs music and drifted back to sleep, cradled in Ethanβs embrace.
