30 Days of Passion and Revenge-Chapter 209: Unexpected Absence

Lily bit her lip, nervously looking at Ethan. Her hands rested on his chest, and as the bubbles cleared and water flowed over his skin, he appeared even more alluring and sensual.

To hell with it.

Lily stopped overthinking. She lowered her head and kissed his face, her lips and tongue trailing along the line of his neck. Tentatively, her small tongue licked his neck before quickly retreating.

She still wasn’t used to being so forward. She had always been passive with Ethan, letting him take the lead.

But even this small action was enough to excite Ethan.

He took a deep breath. "Keep going."

Is he serious about continuing?!

Seeing the intense desire in his eyes, Lily pressed her lips together, summoning her courage. She lowered her head again, letting her lips glide down to his collarbone. Gently, she nipped at it with her teeth.

Ethan let out a low groan, like a restrained beast. His fingers laced through her lengthy hair, slowly tightening.

Lily wanted to kiss him further, imitate his teasing moves, and provoke him... but she quickly realized that her courage only took her so far.

She couldn’t go any further.

"Forget it." Lily raised her dazed eyes to look at him and gave up.

"Lily, if you stop now, I’ll strangle you," Ethan growled, his voice hoarse and dangerously seductive. His fiery gaze was locked on her.

She dared to ignite the fire in him and then think of walking away?!

"..." Lily blinked at him innocently. For some reason, a slight sense of triumph bubbled up in her chest. She had always thought only she could be driven to the brink by Ethan’s teasing...

Turns out Ethan was the same. Just a few light kisses from her, and he was already struggling to hold himself together.

Ethan’s hand remained tangled in her hair as his other arm slowly lifted her body, positioning her to straddle him in the water.

"Lily, are you trying to make me retake a cold shower?" Lily could feel his heat pressing against her softness. She kindly reminded him, teasing him.

"Lily, I’ll be gentle," Ethan said, unable to bear the tension any longer.

Seeing the pained look on his face, Lily lowered her eyes. Without saying anything, she leaned down and kissed his lips.

Her silent consent sent a thrill through Ethan. Every fiber of his being screamed for release.

Ethan let out a low groan from deep in his throat as he seized her lips and kissed her fiercely. Her lips were soft, wet, and pliant, completely clinging to and drawing him in.

One hand roamed over her smooth skin while the other stayed tangled in her hair, holding her in place as he deepened the kiss.

"Give yourself to me," Ethan finally demanded, unable to hold back any longer. One hand gripped her waist as the other loosened his pants, guiding her down into his fiery heat, which blended with the warmth of the water.

"Mm..." Lily couldn’t help but let out a soft moan as he gently entered her.

But after such a long time, the unfamiliar sensation made her wince slightly in discomfort.

Seeing her reaction, Ethan froze, his intense gaze locked on her face as he forced himself to stay still.

He couldn’t hurt her.

Watching him restrain himself so painfully, Lily let out a soft laugh. He was struggling so much, sweat rolling down his face.

"What are you laughing at?" Ethan gritted his teeth, glaring at her.

Of course, Lily wouldn’t admit his struggle amused her. She shifted her gaze lightly and said, "I noticed your left arm still struggles to hold me. If you don’t do rehab, how are you going to carry the baby in the future?"

A baby was so fragile—he couldn’t carry them properly.

Besides, he was always so rough and domineering. If he accidentally hurt the baby or, worse, dropped them... it would be disastrous.

Hearing her words, Ethan’s eyes darkened further.

The baby.

Their baby.

Suddenly, Ethan lifted her off him and withdrew, ending things abruptly.

"Ethan?" Lily looked at him in shock. He had already... Why stop now?

Did her words ruin the mood and kill his interest?

Ethan pressed a hard kiss to her lips and said hoarsely, "Keep washing. I’m taking a cold shower."

Lily stared at him, dumbfounded, as he got out of the tub and walked into the shower, letting the icy water cascade over him.

She had already given him permission for tonight... He was usually so wild and relentless—why did he suddenly stop?

What was wrong with him?

Why had he been acting so strangely these past few days?

What on earth was going on?

"Ethan, are you okay?" Lily asked worriedly, watching his blurry figure through the shower glass—an inexplicable feeling stirred in her heart.

For a long time, Ethan didn’t respond.

Just as Lily was about to press the issue, Ethan’s domineering voice rang out, tinged with teasing. "Lily, do you think I’d be fine only after I’ve done something to you?"

His tone was laced with suggestive ambiguity, mixing with the sound of the shower.

Lily pursed her lips and sat back down in the tub, closing her mouth obediently.

She decided to pretend she hadn’t said anything.

Lily took half a day off from the set of Kill to accompany Ethan to his rehabilitation session. To match the occasion, she even changed into sportswear.

Checking the time, she pulled out her phone and texted Ethan: "Ethan, you promised me. Be here in 20 minutes for rehab. I’m waiting for you."

Minute by minute, time ticked by. Twenty minutes passed quickly, but Ethan’s car was not seen outside.

Is he not planning to come? Lily thought, frustrated. She had even agreed to his shameless condition to bathe together, yet he still wasn’t keeping his promise.

Unacceptable.

Lily dialed his number but received the automated message: "The phone you are trying to reach is currently turned off."

He turned off his phone.

To avoid rehab, Ethan had even turned off his phone. Was he afraid she’d nag him?

Lily’s heart sank. She opened the car door and stepped out, leaning against it as she stared at the bustling street. Despite her disappointment, she quietly waited.

Ethan... it’s just rehab. It’s not like it’s life-threatening. Why won’t you come?

As time passed, Lily’s patience wore thinner and thinner.

She eventually called Ethan’s office. Secretary Helen answered the phone. "Hello, this is the office of the B.E. Asia-Pacific CEO."

"This is Lily Anderson. Is Ethan there?"

"Miss Anderson, Mr. Blackwood left an hour ago," Helen replied respectfully.

"Did he say where he was going?" Lily asked.

"No, Miss Anderson."

"Thank you."

Hanging up, Lily frowned as she looked at the busy street. He left an hour ago—he should have arrived by now. Where could he be?

Could something have happened?!

Panic began to set in. Lily paced anxiously along the roadside, her eyes scanning the passing cars.

Another hour passed, but Ethan still had yet to show up. Growing more frantic, Lily repeatedly called his phone, only to find it still turned off. Her worry deepened.

He should have been here by now. There’s no way he’s still not here... Where is he?!

Lily called Helen again. "Could you please check the city’s hospitals to see if Ethan is there? I’m worried something might have happened to him."

"Of course, Miss Anderson."

Seconds dragged into minutes.

As the sky darkened, Lily remained by the car, gripping her phone tightly. A faint layer of sweat had formed on her palms.

Ethan... please don’t let anything have happened to you.

Turn on your phone... please.

"Miss Anderson, it looks like Mr. Blackwood isn’t coming. Shall I take you home?" the driver asked as he stepped out of the car.

At this point, it seemed unlikely that Ethan would show up.

Lily nodded, clutching her phone tightly. "Alright. Leave one of the bodyguards here. If Ethan comes, have him notify me immediately."

"Understood, Miss Anderson."

The driver instructed one of the bodyguards before returning to the car and driving her home.

By the time they reached the Clearwater Bay neighborhood, night had fallen. The streetlights illuminated the area, their bright glow reflecting off Lily’s anxious face through the car window.

Suddenly, a silver-blue sports car sped past them and entered the Blackwood estate. The gate attendants hurriedly opened the gates.

Lily’s eyes widened in disbelief. Isn’t that the private car I prepared for Ethan?!

The driver followed the sports car into the estate. As their car pulled to a stop, Lily saw Ethan stepping out of the sports car, tall and unscathed.

Before the car even came to a complete stop, Lily leaped out and stormed toward him.

"Ethan Blackwood!" she shouted, anger evident in her voice.

Ethan turned to face her, his brows furrowing as he noticed her pale complexion. Glancing at the dark sky, his tone turned sterner and more furious than hers. "Why are you only getting back now?"

Hadn’t he told her not to stay on set past five in the afternoon?!

And yet, here she was, coming home after dark. Was she trying to ruin her health?!

Lily looked him over. He wore a long gray coat accentuating his tall, lean frame. His short hair was neat, his sharp features distinct. His deep eyes were faintly angry, and his thin lips were pressed tightly together.

"Your hand hasn’t fully healed. Why were you driving yourself?!" Lily said, her voice rising with concern. Her anger at his broken promise was momentarily forgotten.

His hand hadn’t fully recovered yet. What if something had happened while he was driving?

"My left hand is fine!" Ethan scoffed coldly. "Stop changing the subject. Why were you so late tonight? Did the crew force you to stay?!"

Is he questioning me?!

Has he completely forgotten?

"Where were you today?" Lily calmed down and asked, "I called you, but your phone was off."

Ethan’s expression darkened slightly before he replied, "I was at the club, handling business."

A club—with entertainment facilities?

He had promised to go to rehab but stood her up. She had spent the entire afternoon worrying, thinking something might have happened to him. And all this time, he’d been at a club for business?

If he had other plans, why agree with her in the first place?

"Is that so?" Lily replied coolly, turning around and walking into the villa without looking back.

He had utterly disregarded her words.

She had waited for him like a fool from midday until dark, worried sick that something had happened to him.

But it turned out he had simply forgotten their agreement.

When she stepped into the villa, Ethan grabbed her arm from behind. Lily bit her lip but said nothing.

Ethan pulled her around to face him, his voice low and firm. "What’s wrong now? Why are you acting so moody? Did the crew overwork you tonight?!"