30 Days of Passion and Revenge-Chapter 225: The Unforgivable Past

"Of course, I’m afraid! If you get infected, we’ll both end up bedridden. What would that be like? Poor Nanny would be worked to death!" Lily said with a laugh, her tone carefree and casual.

It was as though discussing such a matter didn’t bother her.

"I won’t let you end up bedridden!" Ethan said through gritted teeth.

"Neither will I," Lily replied, following his lead, her face still smiling even though her reddened eyes betrayed her emotions.

Ethan was momentarily stunned by her three simple words. He bent down and wrapped an arm around her shoulders.

A trace of bitterness flickered in Lily’s eyes. After a moment, she patted him lightly. "Are you going to let me drink the soup or not?"

"I’ll feed you," Ethan said.

"No need."

"Let me feed you!"

"Seriously, I don’t need you to," Lily insisted. She wasn’t incapacitated yet—there was no need for him to start feeding her already.

"Say that one more time and see what happens," Ethan warned, his eyes flashing with a fiery determination.

Without waiting for her response, Ethan picked up the bowl of herbal soup in one hand and a spoon in the other, scooping the soup and bringing it to her lips. Lily lowered her head and drank.

This feeling... it was as if she were already bedridden.

She couldn’t help but wonder: when the day came that she couldn’t even hold a spoon, how long would Ethan continue feeding her?

Ethan’s mischievous nature got the better of him as he fed her. He leaned down and kissed her lips, which were still coated with the soup’s taste. He deepened the kiss, mixing the flavors of the herbal soup between them until their mouths filled with the medicinal aroma. Only then did he seem satisfied.

Lily was utterly exasperated.

After finishing the soup—albeit through Ethan’s affectionate antics—a team of stylists arrived at the house to do Lily’s hair and makeup. Watching them handle her hair, Lily quickly said, "Just straighten it. No styling or coloring, please. Thank you."

Her hair couldn’t withstand any further damage. Even brushing it caused strands to fall out. She didn’t want to go bald so quickly.

"Of course, Miss Anderson," one of the stylists replied with a nod.

The styling team dressed her in a blue, off-the-shoulder, floor-length evening gown paired with elegant high heels. The outfit elongated her silhouette, making her appear tall and slender.

"This is a set of jewelry called Ocean Crystal that Mr. Blackwood purchased from the collector Lisa," one of the stylist’s assistants said as she opened a jewelry box.

Inside was a stunning set of blue jewelry. The design was exquisite, and the color—a translucent blue reminiscent of the ocean—captivated everyone in the room.

Lily turned to look at Ethan, casually flipping through a magazine on the sofa. Sensing her gaze, he looked up and met her surprised eyes. His expression turned slightly awkward as he said, seemingly offhand, "A return gift for the tie clip."

"Thank you," Lily said softly.

Such a gift was far too extravagant.

The tie clip she gave him wasn’t worth much, but this jewelry set was priceless.

The stylist, wearing white gloves, carefully helped her put on the necklace and earrings. Instantly, the reflection in the mirror transformed—she looked elegant and regal. The necklace accentuated her fair neck, making it glow with radiant light. 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

When the stylist reached for the teardrop-shaped ring on her finger, Lily quickly withdrew her hand. "I’d rather keep this ring on."

"This set includes a matching ring, but the one you’re wearing doesn’t complement the overall look," the stylist explained.

"No need," Lily said, picking up the blue ring from the set and sliding it onto her index finger. She shook her hand slightly and smiled. "I’ll wear two rings instead."

The Tears of Airlie ring was the first ring Ethan had ever given her.

Over time, its significance to her had changed. Even though it wasn’t a wedding ring, it held special meaning.

These days, she no longer thought about marriage.

She didn’t know when they would find the antidote. All she wanted now was to spend as much time with Ethan as possible while she could still move freely.

"What kind of art exhibit requires such formal attire?" Lily asked cautiously as she approached Ethan. Dressed like this, she felt more like a celebrity heading to the red carpet than someone attending an art exhibit.

"It’s an exhibit showcasing works by renowned domestic and international artists," Ethan replied.

"Should I put on some makeup?" Lily asked.

"No," Ethan refused flatly.

Of course, that’s his answer...

It felt odd to be so dressed up without wearing any makeup. The combination of an elegant outfit and a bare face was unusual.

Lily underestimated the scale of the exhibit. When their car arrived, the venue was surrounded by media, and camera flashes lit up the area. It was as though they were at a red carpet-event. She even spotted a few A-list celebrities and the male and female leads from The Kill.

"Don’t go through the main entrance," Ethan said coldly.

"Yes, Mr. Blackwood," the driver replied.

The driver bypassed the main entrance. From the car window, Lily saw Alex Carter and Alice Johnson surrounded by reporters, giving interviews. Alice had lost weight since her previous setbacks but was dressed beautifully and elegantly in a white deep-V gown, looking like a goddess.

Ethan had always disliked dealing with the media. The car circled around to a side entrance, where staff members from the art exhibit welcomed them into the gallery.

"Don’t worry, Mr. Blackwood. Photography isn’t allowed inside," one of the staff members assured him.

"Hmm," Ethan replied coldly.

Lily looped her arm through Ethan’s as they walked in. Her hands were covered by long gloves in the same color as her dress. The stylist had initially advised against pairing gloves with the outfit. Still, Lily insisted—she didn’t want her injured hands accidentally brushing against others.

Inside, the gallery was brightly lit. Several renowned artists took turns giving speeches on stage. Lily stood quietly beside Ethan, listening to the lengthy addresses.

When the speeches concluded, Lily accompanied Ethan as they wandered through the gallery, admiring the artwork. Occasionally, someone would approach Ethan to greet him and compliment her beauty.

Ethan seemed to enjoy the praise, the corners of his mouth curling into a smug smile.

"Don’t you find events like this boring?" Lily asked quietly, glancing at the paintings on the walls. She couldn’t imagine a man like Ethan enjoying art exhibits.

"Look at that one," Ethan said suddenly.

Following his gaze, Lily froze in place.

A simple sketch depicting a family of three standing on a mountain and gazing into the distance hung on a crescent-shaped wall.

It wasn’t the drawing that stunned Lily—it was the word "home" written in bold calligraphy in the upper left corner. The strokes were strong and free-flowing. She recognized the handwriting immediately—it was her father’s. His seal was also stamped on the artwork.

Home.

Had her father, who had always been consumed by hatred and vengeance, written the word "home"?

Lily stared at the sketch, her eyes suddenly welling with tears.

"Lily," a familiar voice called out.

Startled, Lily turned around to see her father, Henry Anderson, standing not far away, looking at her with affection. Despite his age, his features still carried the handsomeness of a middle-aged man.

For a moment, Lily felt transported back to the times when she visited him in prison. He had always smiled at her then.

Henry, dressed impeccably in a suit, walked over and smiled, looking her up and down. "My daughter is so beautiful, like a mermaid."

Lily looked at his face, her expression dimming. Without a word, she turned and prepared to leave.

"I’m sorry, Lily," Henry said urgently, his voice filled with guilt. "All these years in prison, I was consumed by thoughts of avenging the Anderson family’s humiliation at the hands of the Carters. I neglected the fact that I had a daughter waiting for me."

His sudden apology made Lily’s nose sting with emotion.

"And now you’ve suddenly remembered?" Lily asked coldly, her voice trembling as she fought back tears. "Because I’m infected with AuroraVirus? You pity me?"

At that moment, she realized why Ethan had insisted she dress so formally. It wasn’t because of the exhibit’s prestige—it was because Ethan had orchestrated this meeting to help her reconcile with her father.

Ethan, who typically disdained such sentimental gestures, had done this for her.

It felt like he was trying to fulfill her last wishes while she was still alive.

The thought made her feel unbearably bitter.

"I’ve already made Bill Carter so angry he’s bedridden, and now Ethan has captured him. I’ve taken control of most of the Carter Group. Alex is just a child—he can’t fight me..." Henry said earnestly from behind her. "I’ve almost avenged our family. I’ve gained power and wealth... but now I’ve lost my home. I’ve lost my daughter."

Lost his home... lost his daughter...

Lily had spent years waiting, enduring life as a guest in others’ homes, working a job she didn’t like as a paparazzo, all hoping to rebuild her family.

But even though her father was free, she still didn’t have a home.

Tears streamed down her face. Ethan stood silently beside her, reaching out to gently wipe her tears away.

"Lily, forgive me. I want to stay by your side and care for you," Henry said, stepping closer. His voice was full of regret. "When you were little, you’d always refuse to sleep when you were sick. You’d cry and insist I stay by your side until you fell asleep."

When I was little...

"I can’t forgive a father who used his own daughter," Lily said coldly, tears falling uncontrollably. "Don’t talk to me about when I was a child. If you ever considered me your daughter, you wouldn’t have treated me like you did."

With that, she released Ethan’s arm and walked away alone.

"Lily..." Henry called after her, trying to follow.

Ethan stepped before him, blocking his path with an icy glare. "It seems she doesn’t want to reconcile with you. I miscalculated by arranging this meeting. Don’t appear in front of us again."

"Mr. Blackwood... please, let me talk to her—"

"There’s no need."

Ethan turned and followed Lily. Damn it, he thought. I thought Lily valued family most. That’s why I set this up...

He wouldn’t have gone into trouble if he had known she wouldn’t forgive Henry.

Lily walked down the gallery hallway toward the restroom, tears streaming down her face. Ethan quickly caught up to her and pulled her into his arms. His hand awkwardly patted her back, his movements stiff and unfamiliar. "Stop crying, Lily."

"Why did you bring him here..." Lily sobbed uncontrollably, tears pouring down her cheeks. "I didn’t want to see him."

"I thought it would make you happy. You asked me to release Henry—"

"That was a different matter," Lily said, pulling away from his embrace and wiping her face messily. She looked up at Ethan, her voice filled with frustration. "Do you think I should let go of everything just because I’m infected with AuroraVirus? I can’t forgive what he did to me!"

Her voice rose, tinged with anger.

Lily knew Ethan had good intentions and wanted to make her happy. But she couldn’t believe a word her father said—it all felt insincere as if he was only saying it because of Ethan’s presence.

She couldn’t trust him.

Just like when she had brought him out of prison, thinking they would reunite as father and daughter. Instead, he had schemed to push her into marrying Alex, manipulating them in front of the media only to betray them cruelly.

The more she loved her father, the harder it was to accept everything he had done.