30 Days of Passion and Revenge-Chapter 226: A Complicated Reunion

The more she loved her father, the more challenging Lily could accept what he had done.

The revelation that Alex was her half-brother was shocking enough. Still, it paled in comparison to the pain of realizing her father had been using her all along. That betrayal cut so much more profound.

"Can’t I be an idiot for once? Can’t I make stupid decisions?!" Ethan growled through gritted teeth, his voice low but filled with anger. "Are you satisfied now?"

Damn it, being the good guy is so damn hard!

Furious, Ethan lashed out, kicking the wall in frustration. He stood there, glaring at Lily, silently crying, her tears falling steadily.

Neither of them spoke.

Lily was still too upset to calm down. She silently shed tears as the weight of her emotions ached in her chest.

Ethan glanced at her one last time before storming off. Lily watched his retreating back, her tears blurring her vision once again.

Didn’t he promise not to leave me alone?

"Lily, stop crying."

A tissue appeared before her, and a familiar, gentle voice spoke softly in her ear. It carried a unique minty fragrance she hadn’t smelled in a while.

"Thank you," Lily said, accepting the tissue and wiping her tears. She looked up.

Alex stood before her, dressed in an elegant white suit. His demeanor was refined and gentle. His expression was filled with concern as he gazed at her, his brows slightly furrowed.

Alice Johnson wasn’t with him.

"I should go," Lily said, forcing a strained smile before turning to leave.

"Lily, it’s been so long. You still can’t face me?" Alex’s voice came from beside her, tinged with bitterness. "Can’t you even stand with me for a moment?"

Although they had seen each other recently, it had felt like a lifetime since they’d had a moment alone like this.

"I need to go," Lily said firmly.

She didn’t want to be alone with him. As she tried to walk away, her legs suddenly gave out, and she collapsed.

"Lily..." Alex called out, rushing to catch her. He held her steady, his face filled with worry. "Are you okay?"

Lily tried to stand but found herself completely unable to muster any strength.

Are my legs failing me now, too?

Alex’s support was the only thing keeping Lily from falling to the ground. She forced herself to stay calm and said lightly, "I’m fine. My legs just gave out."

Why does this keep happening? This was the second time today.

"I’ll help you sit down in the rest area," Alex offered, already prepared to guide her there.

"No need. Just help me stand for a moment," Lily said quickly. She didn’t have the strength to walk but didn’t want to leave the area. She didn’t want him to worry if Ethan returned and couldn’t find her.

Alex adjusted his hold, wrapping an arm around her waist to support her more securely.

Lily lowered her head, remaining silent as she patiently waited for her strength to return. Her legs throbbed with a dull ache, but she gritted her teeth and endured it.

"Have you still not found the antidote?" Alex asked gently, his eyes filled with concern as he looked down at her.

Without the antidote, the next decade of her life would be spent bedridden, relying on painkillers and injections just to endure.

"No," Lily replied softly.

"Does it hurt?" Alex asked, his heart aching as he leaned against the wall, holding her waist to support her weight.

He could feel how much she was leaning on him. She had no strength left at all.

"I’m fine," Lily said, her gaze fixed downward. She avoided looking at Alex and instead focused on her legs.

"Lily, you don’t have to pretend in front of me," Alex said as he bent and scooped her up.

Lily’s eyes widened in shock as she stared at him. "What are you doing?"

"Is this the only way I can get you to look at me?" Alex said with a bitter smile, his eyes locked on hers. "I’ll carry you to the rest area."

If forcing her was the only way to get her attention, he should have abandoned his principles long ago. Perhaps he wouldn’t have let so much slip away.

"There’s no need. My legs are getting better," Lily said, struggling to get down from his arms. However, as soon as she tried to stand, her legs gave out again, and she nearly fell. Alex caught her just in time.

Alex’s eyes filled with a mix of anger and frustration. "Why are you pushing yourself so hard? Is it really so difficult to let me help you?"

"I don’t want to trouble you," Lily said firmly.

"Trouble? To me, you were never a burden," Alex said resolutely, his voice carrying a trace of bitterness.

Lily’s feet touched the ground again, and she desperately tried to regain her strength. Moving her legs was agonizing, but she kept trying. Alex sighed as he watched her, then tightened his hold on her. "Stop forcing yourself. Rest if you don’t have the strength."

"I’m fine," Lily said, forcing a faint smile as she used every ounce of her strength to move her legs. Beads of sweat formed on her forehead as she struggled.

"Lily"

"Let go of me. I can do it myself," Lily said stubbornly, her legs slowly regaining strength. She gritted her teeth, pushing Alex’s hands away. 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

She didn’t want to rely on him. She wanted to stand on her own.

"Be careful," Alex said, refusing to let go entirely. He kept his arm around her, ensuring she wouldn’t fall.

"Alex, do you have a death wish?!"

A cold, furious voice suddenly cut through the air. Ethan’s enraged shout was filled with bone-chilling anger.

Lily looked up in shock, just in time to see a dark figure storm toward them. Before she could react, Ethan had already punched Alex square in the face.

"Bang—"

Caught off guard, Alex staggered and fell to the ground, looking disheveled.

Lily nearly fell over but managed to steady herself against the wall. When she turned, she saw a glass of juice shattered on the floor, shards scattered everywhere.

Ethan grabbed Alex by the collar and hauled him up, his eyes blazing with fury. "Alex, I’ll cripple you today!"

Damn it.

Touching my woman while I wasn’t around? Is he tired of living?!

"Ethan!" Lily shouted in shock, trying to stop him.

But Ethan’s fist was already flying toward Alex again. Alex caught his punch this time, his lips bleeding from the first blow. He looked at Ethan calmly yet mockingly and said, "Ethan, do you want to know why Lily can’t forgive her father?"

Hearing this, Ethan glanced at Lily, his eyes narrowing. Lily stared back at him, silently pleading for him to stop.

"I don’t need you to tell me!" Ethan growled through clenched teeth.

"Because her father’s act was too fake. After hurting her so deeply, saying those hypocritical words only made her feel like her old wounds were being torn open again," Alex said coldly, meeting Ethan’s gaze without flinching. Even as Ethan gripped his collar, Alex’s aura remained unshaken. "Ethan, you don’t understand Lily at all."

"Bang—"

Ethan’s rage boiled over. He slammed Alex against the wall and aimed another punch at him. Lily rushed forward and grabbed Ethan’s arm. "Ethan, I’m tired. I want to go home."

"Let go!" Ethan barked, shoving her aside.

Lily stumbled into the wall, her body aching from the impact. She almost fell, but Alex caught her first before Ethan could reach her.

"Let her go, damn it!" Ethan roared, his fury reaching its peak. He punched Alex again, sending him crashing to the floor with a heavy thud.

"Alex!" Lily cried out, looking at him in shock. Seeing Ethan about to hit him again, she snapped, "Ethan, that’s enough!"

Why couldn’t he ever control his temper? Why did he always resort to violence without understanding the situation?

Hearing her sharp words, Ethan froze. He turned to glare at her. "What did you say?!"

Was she defending Alex? Was she blaming him for this?

"I’m going home," Lily said flatly. She glanced at Alex on the ground, steadied herself against the wall, and walked away.

Ethan, his anger still simmering, kicked Alex hard one last time before storming after Lily. He caught up to her and wrapped his arm around her shoulders, pulling her close.

"Let go," Lily said, pushing his arm away.

Ethan’s anger flared again. He tightened his grip on her and growled, "Lily, try pushing me away again."

Without hesitation, Lily shoved at his arm again. Furious, Ethan raised his hand, but when Lily glared at him coldly, her face full of defiance, he couldn’t strike her. Instead, he slammed his fist into the wall.

"Lily, I only hit him twice. Are you upset about that?" Ethan asked icily, his voice tinged with jealousy and anger.

"I almost fell, and he was helping me," Lily replied coldly before leaving.

"Helping you? Did he need to stand so close?!" Ethan shouted after her, his expression shifting as panic crept into his voice. "Why did you almost fall? What’s wrong?"

Was it the symptoms again?

Lily’s expression darkened. She pressed her lips together and shook her head. "No, it’s nothing. The heels I’m wearing are too high."

She didn’t want him to worry.

"Then why are you still walking?!" Ethan snapped.

This woman—why couldn’t she just say something if her feet hurt?

Ethan grabbed her wrist and pulled her into his arms. He bent down and removed her high heels, tossing them aside. Then, without a word, he scooped her up and carried her, his movements domineering and forceful.

Lily rested silently in his arms as he carried her out of the gallery through the side door. The driver, already waiting outside, immediately opened the car door. "Mr. Blackwood."

Ethan placed Lily in the car, lifted her legs onto his lap, and roughly tore her dress at the hem, revealing her feet. He held one of her delicate feet in his hand, carefully checking for any signs of injury.

This woman never stopped worrying him. He had only left momentarily to get her a drink, and she had leaned on Alex for support. How could he not be angry?

Lily pulled her legs back and sat upright, her expression blank.

Ethan’s hand froze midair. Frustration and anger churned in his chest as he glared at her. "Lily, what do you want from me?! Alex was all over you, and I can’t hit him?!"

Was she mad at him because of Alex? How could she be so hypocritical? She had so many rules for him, forbidding him from interacting with any of the women he’d been with in the past, yet here she was, getting cozy with Alex.

"I don’t want to talk to you right now," Lily said calmly, leaning back against the car seat and closing her eyes.

"Lily Anderson!"

Ethan’s voice was icy as he stared at her. He suddenly leaned over, pinning her against the seat, and kissed her forcefully.

Lily’s eyes widened in shock. She tried to push him away, but he only held her tighter. His lips pressed hard against hers, his kiss rough and possessive, with no tenderness.

"Mm..."

Lily struggled, wanting to bite him, but then remembered her illness. She froze, her resistance fading as Ethan continued his relentless assault on her lips, his tongue demanding and unyielding.

Her hands pressed against his chest, but no matter how hard she pushed, she couldn’t move him.