30 Days of Passion and Revenge-Chapter 232: Destined Paths

"There are many people and things that are destined," Lily said with a bitter smile, taking a small sip of tea. Talking about such topics with Alex felt unnatural and uncomfortable.

Just like she and Alex—separated for nine years, reunited, yet unable to end up together.

In the end, they could only walk separate paths.

"Is he the man you’re destined to be with?" Alex asked.

Lily’s expression dimmed slightly as her fingers tightened around her teacup. Slowly, she said, "He’s not a perfect man, but he often surprises me with moments of unexpected warmth. When I’m with him, I feel secure and safe... and I think that’s enough for love."

Ethan had a terrible temper but worked hard to change.

Although he seemed deeply chauvinistic, he spent time warming her and touching her in ways she never expected. He noticed the little details about her that most people overlooked.

Ethan had sacrificed far more than she had in their relationship.

And this kind of love... was enough.

Lily spoke openly about her relationship with Ethan for the first time, describing it as simple yet fulfilling.

Alex stared intensely at the happiness in her smile, and his heart felt as though it had been pierced by needles, the pain spreading throughout his body.

She had given all her love to Ethan, leaving not even a crumb for him.

"You’re so unwavering in your devotion to him?" Alex asked, his tone tinged with bitterness. He held his teacup in hand but hadn’t taken a sip.

"Yes."

Lily nodded firmly. She didn’t want to leave their relationships blurred or unclear in front of Alex.

"Alright. As long as you’re happy," Alex said warmly, though the bitterness in his eyes was unmistakable.

"Alex..."

"I’ve moved on, so don’t feel guilty toward me anymore. Your happiness means more to me than anything," Alex said with a smile, his tone full of acceptance and understanding.

His selflessness only deepened Lily’s sense of guilt. She could never seem to find the right way to treat Alex.

"How are you doing?" Lily asked.

Alex placed two pink wedding invitations on the table. "Alice and I are getting married next weekend. Will you come?"

Lily froze as she looked at the invitations, but a moment later, she smiled. "Congratulations."

"Will you come?" Alex pressed.

"If I can convince him," Lily replied cautiously. Ethan’s feelings toward Alex had always been hostile.

Every time Ethan and Alex met, the atmosphere was explosive.

"And if he doesn’t come? Will you come alone?"

Lily met Alex’s gaze. His gentle eyes carried a certain persistence, as if he were determined to get an answer.

Lily shook her head. "Even though the news blurred out my face in the past incidents, some media outlets still recognize me. I don’t want to disrupt the mood of your wedding."

"I can refuse entry to the media."

"Alex..." Lily said, exasperated by his insistence.

"I understand." Alex glanced at the pink invitations on the table and said, "I’ll wait for you to come. With you there, I’ll feel more at ease."

"At ease?"

Lily looked at him in surprise, thinking he must have misspoken.

She had just described her love for Ethan as making her feel "secure," Now Alex used the same word to tell her.

Alex’s steady gaze remained on her, not intending to take back his words.

The atmosphere grew awkward and heavy again. Lily picked up the invitation, trying to ease the tension with a compliment. "The design is beautiful."

"Thank you. Open it and take a look," Alex said, sipping tea with his usual elegance.

The invitation was grand yet warm in its design. Inside was a fresh rose and a photograph of Alex and Alice taken in a Baroque-style church. They stood closely together, embracing under a large silver cross. The church’s aisle and decorations were captured clearly in the background.

Clatter—

The invitation slipped from Lily’s hand onto the table, her face turning pale.

A Baroque-style church...

Lily felt an inexplicable wave of emotions and looked up at Alex with confusion.

Alex set his teacup down calmly and looked at her with a composed smile. "There’s a Baroque-style church in the neighboring city. That’s where we took our wedding photos."

"Is that so?" Lily lowered her gaze and took a deep sip of tea.

It’s just a coincidence... right?

"When we were kids, your mother told me she hoped we’d marry in a Baroque-style church." It was as if Alex knew exactly what she was thinking, dropping this revelation gently yet deliberately.

He knows.

Lily nearly choked on her tea. She looked at Alex, startled, and asked, "Why are you marrying Alice Johnson?"

She rejected Ethan’s prejudices against Alex. She had thought Alex had moved on and found new love.

That was a good thing.

She didn’t want Alex to remain stuck in the past.

But now, the Baroque-style church in the wedding photo, with Alice as the bride...

This didn’t feel like acceptance of a new relationship.

Alex leaned forward slightly across the table, his gaze deeply fixed on her face. He didn’t answer her question but said, "Lily, if we were half-siblings, your mother wouldn’t have pushed for our engagement back then. Why haven’t you thought about that?"

Lily’s eyes widened in shock, her mind racing as her gaze fell back on the pink invitation.

Everything had happened so suddenly. She hadn’t had the time to think through it carefully. All she had focused on was her mother’s affair with Bill Carter...

Alex was right. Her mother wouldn’t have supported their engagement years ago if they genuinely shared blood.

"Lily, we’re not related by blood," Alex said firmly, enunciating every word. "Do you understand? That was just your father’s revenge on my family."

"I see," Lily replied with a nod.

She didn’t know how to feel—whether to be happy or sad. Her biological father had pushed her into the spotlight, claiming she was the product of an affair...

"That’s all the reaction I get?" Alex asked, disappointed.

Whether or not they were siblings didn’t seem to matter to her.

Clearly, there was no place for him in her heart.

"Alex..."

"I know we’re on different paths now. But can we still be friends?" Alex asked, smiling as he extended his hand across the table.

"Yes." Lily smiled back, reaching out to shake his hand. Her eyes reflected guilt.

I’m sorry, Alex.

Sorry for all the hurt you’ve endured because of me.

Alex held her hand tightly, his gaze deep and unreadable. This hand... was the one he had once dreamed of keeping forever.

After a moment, Lily withdrew her hand.

Between the two of them, Lily always let go first. It had been that way in middle school, during the centennial celebration, and now... it was the same.

"Will Ethan marry you? When will I get to attend your wedding?" Alex asked, his gaze lingering on his hand, which still held her warmth.

A wedding?

Marriage?

She wasn’t even thinking about that anymore. Right now, even just surviving was a challenge.

"It’s getting late. I should go." Lily smiled politely, slipping the invitation into her bag. Alex stood as well. "I’ll drive you home."

"There’s no need. Ethan’s car is waiting outside."

Lily declined and began walking away. Alex didn’t argue and followed her out of the restaurant.

Suddenly, Alex’s phone rang. He answered it, and Lily turned back to smile at him, motioning that she would leave first.

"Take care of yourself," Alex said gently.

"You too."

Lily turned to leave, but before stepping, she heard Alex’s voice again. "Is Uncle Henry not at the office? He can sign that document."

Dad?

Lily glanced back. Alex looked at her briefly before continuing his phone conversation. "Do you know where Uncle Henry went? Alright, I’ll call him."

Alex hung up and began dialing another number. "Uncle Henry never skips work at the company."

Lily’s gaze dimmed.

Her father wouldn’t skip work unless he had plans to completely take over the Carter Group.

"Hello, Uncle Henry? Where are you? The team needs your signature for a document, but they can’t find you... No, I’m not trying to keep tabs on you. Actually... Lily is with me right now," Alex said, glancing hesitantly at her. "Alright, I understand."

After ending the call, Alex caught up to Lily. "Uncle Henry went to the suburbs. He asked me to tell you he’s willing to fulfill his responsibilities as your father and do something for you."

Alex shook his head. "I disapprove of Ethan’s forceful ways of handling things, but honestly... Lily, don’t you want to reconcile with your father? He’s still your biological dad. The things he’s done were blinded by hate, even if... the target of his revenge was my family."

"I don’t want to talk about him."

Lily still wasn’t sure if she could let go of the past. Suddenly, a thought struck her, and she stopped in her tracks, eyes wide with realization. "What did you just say? Where did he go?!"

"The suburbs. I’m not sure which part," Alex said calmly.

The suburbs? Could he have visited Ethan’s base, where the captives were held?

Cipher Stone’s words echoed in her ears:

"Mr. Blackwood, the central government has already dispatched troops. They’ll arrive within an hour. We’re evacuating the base but won’t have time to move everyone. Before the troops arrive, I’ll detonate the base to leave no trace."

Lily’s heart clenched in panic. She urgently said, "Call him! Call my dad!"

"What’s wrong?" Alex asked, confused, but he still dialed the number.

Lily snatched the phone from him, but the automated message came through: "The number you have dialed is currently unavailable..."

How could this happen?!

"Lily, what’s going on? Is something wrong?" Alex asked, his concern evident.

"To the suburbs! To the west suburbs! Drive!" Lily’s mind was blank, and she could only shout as she jumped into Alex’s car.

"Uncle Henry went to the west suburbs? The same place Ethan held us last time?" Alex asked in surprise as he started the car.

"I don’t know... Alex, just drive faster!"

Please let me be wrong. What would my father be doing there? What could he possibly be doing for me...?

Lily’s heart raced with unprecedented anxiety. She grabbed Ethan’s phone and quickly dialed Cipher Stone’s number. "Cipher Stone, it’s Lily Anderson. You know my father, don’t you? He might have gone to your base. Please, you must save him! Don’t detonate the base yet!"

"Your father? The place is in chaos right now. I haven’t seen him, and the timer is already set..." Cipher Stone’s voice cut off halfway as Ethan’s deep voice came through the phone. "Lily?"

Ethan’s voice immediately calmed Lily slightly, but she still spoke anxiously. "Ethan, please have them look for my father, okay? I don’t know if he’s there, but don’t let anything happen to him... please, nothing can happen to him!"