30 Days of Passion and Revenge-Chapter 292: Memories of the Past

In the photo, the two gaze into each other’s eyes. Ethan’s smile was natural and healing, unlike the cold and devilish demeanor he usually wore...

But photos could only capture a moment; they couldn’t preserve it forever.

Lily placed the photo back into the suitcase and continued sorting the items. Everything was tied to Ethan; every memory in the Blackwood villa revolved around him...

Even the extra things she had accumulated bore his imprint.

Letting go... Did it mean she should abandon all of this altogether?

But if she hadn’t seen these things in the days she had left, would it have made her even sadder?

Even now... she was conflicted, hesitant. Since she had already decided to leave, why couldn’t she leave cleanly?

"Miss, may I come in?" Aston’s voice came from the doorway, his tone as respectful as ever.

"Come in."

"I’ve brought you some herbal tea," Aston said as he entered, placing an elegant teacup on the tray he carried and handing it to her. His eyes flicked briefly to the open suitcases on the floor. "Miss, are you packing? Shall I arrange for the maids to assist you?"

"No need."

Lily forced a faint smile and took the teacup from him, cradling it in her hands. The cup’s warmth seeped into her palms, making her realize how cold her hands had been...

Aston’s gaze lingered for a moment on a photo atop one of the suitcases, a picture of two young people looking at each other with sweet affection. Even from a photograph, the happiness between them was unmistakable and untouchable.

Miss was still thinking about him.

"There’s something I’m not sure I should say," Aston suddenly remarked.

"Go ahead," Lily said, sitting on a nearby chair and looking at him. Aston had always been a reserved and professional butler.

"Young Master once painted many portraits of you here. Back then, he hadn’t found you yet, so he painted them all from memory," Aston said, standing straight with the silver tray in his hands. "They’re all stored in the observatory on the rooftop."

Why was he suddenly bringing up Alex painting portraits of her?

She had seen one before, a painting Alex had given her for her birthday...

Lily lowered her head, sipping her tea without responding.

"Would you like to go up and see them? Or shall I bring them down for you?" Aston asked.

"No need," Lily replied, shaking her head. She turned her gaze back to Aston. "The past is the past. He should be painting his wife now, not me."

She and Alex had long since parted ways. He was married now, and there should be no lingering ties. She didn’t want to be a stumbling block in his marriage.

Aston nodded. "I spoke out of turn. I’ll take my leave now."

As Aston left, Lily watched his retreating figure with a strange feeling she couldn’t quite place. It seemed as though Aston was speaking on Alex’s behalf... But Alex was already married.

Lily crouched down again and continued sorting through her suitcase. She pulled out a USB drive from a celebration party at Alex’s house, the night Ethan had publicly announced in front of everyone that she was his girlfriend...

Even this USB drive... Ethan didn’t want it anymore. He had tossed it to her.

No matter how many promises were made, they couldn’t withstand the moment of change... It all happened so quickly, leaving her stunned and unable to react.

Just like how he had abandoned her. Just like how he had kissed another woman...

When someone changes, you can never keep up with them.

Not wanting to go through anything more, Lily slammed the suitcase shut. She decided to leave everything behind here...

She didn’t want to cry every time she looked at these things. Maybe one day, when she was on the verge of death, she would like to see them again. But for now, her heart wasn’t strong enough to face these memories—these intimate moments she had shared with Ethan.

Her heart just wasn’t strong enough.

Aside from the card Tommy Blackwood had left her, which would allow her to continue living comfortably, Lily decided to take nothing with her.

She would leave quietly, alone.

That morning, half-asleep, Lily felt a hand brushing gently across her face, the fingertips soft and tender.

What was Ethan up to so early in the morning?

She grabbed the hand and rolled over, pulling it close as she continued to sleep. She held onto it tightly, and the weight of a body leaned against her back, the faint scent of mint drifting to her nose.

Ethan...

Ethan wasn’t with her anymore.

Lily’s grip on the warm hand tightened as she suddenly woke up. Turning her face, she opened her eyes to see Alex’s gentle and handsome face just above hers, his brown eyes gazing at her with something akin to affection.

He was propped above her in a posture that resembled an embrace.

Seeing her wake, Alex smiled. "Awake?"

Lily stared at him blankly, then glanced down at her hand. She was still clutching Alex’s hand tightly. Startled, she quickly let go, sitting on the bed and stammering, "I’m sorry... I wasn’t fully awake just now."

Alex chuckled. "What are you apologizing to me for?" 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

Why was she apologizing?

"I wasn’t fully awake and thought it was Ethan, so I..." Lily bit her lip, feeling deeply embarrassed. Why had she grabbed Alex’s hand like that?

Alex’s gaze darkened slightly. He reached out and gently removed her hat. Lily tried to stop him, but she didn’t have the strength. Alex tenderly pressed her back down. "If you’re still tired, sleep a little longer. Don’t wear a hat to bed."

"But I—"

"Lily, be good. Sleep a little longer," Alex said, his tone as gentle as if he were coaxing a child. He pulled the blanket over her.

Lily was far too awake now to fall back asleep. She couldn’t believe she had grabbed Alex’s hand, forcing him to lean close to her...

"I’ll go check if breakfast is ready. You rest for now," Alex said, standing up from her bedside and leaving the room.

Lily lay there, watching his retreating figure. She raised her hand to touch her face. Why had Alex’s hand been on her face? And that look in his eyes... Was she imagining things?

Did he still have feelings for her?

Lily suddenly felt a wave of panic. How could this happen?

"Because he still loves you! He’s acting!"

"Just because someone is married doesn’t mean they love their spouse!"

"If Alex truly had feelings for Alice, I’d cut off my head!"

"Your father died because of him! That way, he could take full control of the Carter Group!"

Ethan’s words echoed in her mind, filling her with unease. What was she thinking? Even if Alex still had feelings for her, it didn’t mean anything...

Exactly. If Alex truly loved her, then he couldn’t have been involved in her father’s death, could he? He had no reason to...

What was she thinking?

Lily shook her head, trying to clear her thoughts. Every time she faced adversity, Alex had been the one to help her through it. And here she was, questioning him. She must have been too influenced by Ethan’s words, unconsciously seeing Alex as a calculating man...

She decided to stop her thoughts from spiraling further. Getting out of bed, she washed up and went downstairs.

In the open kitchen, Alex sprinkled dressing over a salad plate. Aston and the maids greeted her respectfully as she entered. "Miss."

Alex looked up, his smile warm. "Why didn’t you sleep a little longer?"

"I’m not sleepy anymore," Lily replied, shaking her head.

"Have a seat. Breakfast is almost ready," Alex said, returning to the salad.

Alex had never been fond of the smell of oil and smoke in the kitchen, yet he had cooked for her several times.

Lily watched him, focusing entirely on the food as he worked carefully and attentively. He was someone she had known and trusted since childhood. Why was she doubting him?

"It’s ready."

Alex and the maids brought the breakfast to the table. Lily and Alex sat across from each other. Alex poured her a glass of warm milk. "Did you sleep well last night?"

"Yes."

Lily nodded, though her mind was elsewhere. After a long pause, she finally asked, "Alex, was my father always targeting you at the company?"

Alex’s expression froze momentarily before he replied, "Why do you ask that suddenly?"

Lily lowered her gaze, holding the glass of milk to her lips as if it were a casual question. "I was just wondering. I suddenly thought of my father."

"Rather than saying he targeted me, it would be more accurate to say he targeted the entire Carter Group. His goal was to bring the company down, and he often made moves to that end," Alex said, setting down his utensils and looking at her.

"That must have been difficult for you," Lily said cautiously.

Alex studied her for a moment before smiling. "Strictly speaking, my father owed your father. I must protect the Carter Group, so it wasn’t about difficulty."

His tone was sincere.

"Did you hate my father?"

"Of course not. He’s your father—my elder," Alex said with a soft smile, his eyes sincere. "Who can truly untangle the grudges of the past? We, as the younger generation, have no right to judge. Besides... all of that is in the past."

Yes, it was all in the past.

Lily nodded. She must have been overthinking it. Alex wouldn’t have killed her father...

"What’s wrong?" Alex asked, noting the untouched breakfast in front of her. "Why aren’t you eating?"

"I’m not hungry," Lily replied absentmindedly.

She was overthinking it.

"Not hungry? Are you still feeling unwell from your cold?" Alex frowned, reaching out to check her forehead. His warm hand pressed gently against her skin.

Lily flinched, instinctively pulling back. In her haste, she knocked over the glass of milk, spilling its contents across the table.

Alex’s hand froze midair, his expression darkening. Her abrupt reaction was as if his touch had been poisoned...

The atmosphere grew tense.

The glass lay overturned, milk dripping off the table’s edge and pooling on the floor.

Realizing what had happened, Lily quickly grabbed some napkins to clean up, her voice filled with awkwardness. "I’m sorry, I’m sorry. I was distracted."