30 Days of Passion and Revenge-Chapter 263: Aiko’s Final Scene

"Are you really that desperate? Your face is so red," Ethan Blackwood teased, lifting Lily Anderson’s chin. His intense, devilish gaze locked onto hers, and his thin lips hovered just half an inch from her own.

"My face is red because I’m sitting in front of a pervert, and I’m so angry that all the blood has rushed to my head," Lily shot back, glaring at him with wide eyes.

Ethan turned his head toward the two massage therapists as if he understood. "Lily Anderson says you’re perverts—why haven’t you left yet?!"

"Yes, sir."

The two therapists didn’t dare argue and quickly left the room.

"I was talking about you..." Lily muttered, exasperated.

"The pervert wants to make your face even redder," Ethan said with a wicked grin before capturing her lips in a deep, passionate kiss.

This infuriating man...

Lily punched him twice, but eventually, she relented, wrapping her arms around his neck. Lately, they had been living parallel lives, each busy with tasks, with little time to spend together.

The kiss deepened. Ethan soon lost control. Knowing they were on the verge of crossing a line, he gently pulled her arms away and stepped back. His voice was husky, laced with restrained desire. "Let me massage your feet," he said.

Lily smiled knowingly. "Alright."

Even though the massage therapists had given him a quick lesson, Ethan’s pressure was still off. Sometimes, it tickled; other times, it hurt. But seeing the focused, earnest look on his face, Lily didn’t say a word.

The result didn’t matter. What mattered was that he was putting his heart into it.

Aiko Nakamura behaved relatively well on set. During the ballet scenes, she frequently fell due to exhaustion, and occasionally, she couldn’t even get back up.

Lily wanted to stop filming, but Aiko insisted on pushing through.

In an outdoor scene amidst a field of flowers, Lily handed Aiko a glass of milk. "Take two weeks off and rest before we finish the remaining scenes."

Aiko glanced at her and let out a mocking laugh. "Afraid I’ll ruin your film?"

"I don’t want a death on my set," Lily replied flatly. It was a taboo.

Sitting nearby, Lily continued reviewing some notes. Suddenly, Aiko spoke. "I love acting. But if I hadn’t been chosen as Ethan’s wife, I would never have had the chance to step into this world... never had the opportunity to be in a film."

Lily looked up to see Aiko sitting in a folding chair. Bald, pale, and frail, she held a glass of milk. A heavy coat draped over her shoulders, and a blanket covered her knees, emphasizing her thin frame.

It was as if she were speaking to herself, gazing at the vast floral landscape. Her eyes dimmed, lost in thought.

"Do you know why I love acting?" Aiko suddenly turned to ask Lily.

"..." Lily shook her head faintly, watching Aiko in silence.

It was strange. Why was she here, listening to Aiko’s story? Why was she engaging in a conversation that had nothing to do with the film?

When had their relationship shifted to discussing anything besides Ethan?

"Because even my smile requires practice," Aiko began, her voice tinged with sorrow. "I longed for a different life, to experience and portray ways of living that weren’t my own..." Her eyes glistened with unshed tears. "Different characters, different personalities, different lives... Every role I’ve played has been more vibrant than my existence."

Her mother had orchestrated the most miserable life for her.

Lily listened quietly.

"My life was nothing but endless studying. When I met Ethan, I thought it was fate—like the universe had chosen him for me. This man... he was worth living for, worth learning for," Aiko said softly. "It wasn’t because he was handsome. It was because when he looked at me, I got lost in his eyes..."

Lily didn’t know how to respond, so she listened.

"Lily, Ethan told the media that you’re his girlfriend and the only woman he loves. He protects you, cherishes you like a child being cared for..."

"But I’m his wife. I’m the daughter-in-law chosen by the Blackwood family. Yet, in your presence, I’ve become the other woman. But I’m not."

"You shouldn’t have fallen in love with him."

"You shouldn’t have fallen in love with him." 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

Lily’s voice was calm but firm.

Aiko let out a bitter laugh, tears streaming down her face. "Who else could I love but him? My entire existence is for him... I’m not the other woman. I’m his wife."

Wife.

What a grating word.

"You’re not," Lily interrupted coldly. "From where I stand, it seems more like you’re using this marriage to gain your freedom—to act in the films you want, to live the life you’ve always desired."

Such grand declarations of love... how hollow.

"Don’t I love him enough?" Aiko asked, her voice trembling. "I love him so much that I’ve thrown away my pride, clung to him shamelessly, practically begged for his attention... But aside from the first night, he’s been cold to me." Tears streaked her pale cheeks, making her appear pitiful.

Lily didn’t care to hear the details, whether it was the first night or another.

That was all in the past.

Lily stood up, but Aiko suddenly looked at her and asked, "Have you ever done what I’ve done for Ethan?"

"Have you ever done what I’ve done for Ethan?"

"Have you ever done what I’ve done for Ethan?"

The words echoed in Lily’s mind, striking a deep chord. Aiko, still tear-streaked, smiled bitterly. "See how lucky you are? You’ve effortlessly gained everything Ethan has to offer without ever doing what I’ve done."

"Like shamelessly clinging to him? Or like poisoning your rival with the AuroraVirus?" Lily retorted, looking down at Aiko with a cold gaze. "I love him more than you do, but I’ll never stoop to your level."

Not everyone expresses love similarly, but her feelings for Ethan are deep and unwavering.

"Is that pride or morality talking?" Aiko sneered. "I once had a heartless friend who told me that, in his eyes, there was nothing but that one woman."

"When you love someone deeply, pride becomes irrelevant," Aiko said, her gaze fixed on Lily. "Your love must be less than mine."

"But he loves me," Lily replied nonchalantly, her words striking Aiko like a blow.

Aiko’s face turned ashen.

"Enough. Wipe your tears. You’ve got a close-up smile scene to shoot," Lily said, ending the conversation.

While filming the smiling close-up, Aiko’s performance was notably off.

"Cut!"

"Cut!"

"Cut!"

After multiple takes, Lily stopped calling for retakes. Watching Aiko through the lens, an inexplicable sadness welled up within her. Aiko, a woman who had to rehearse her smile, couldn’t muster a genuine one.

The scene was ultimately left incomplete. Though Aiko practiced tirelessly, the best she could deliver was a passable smile.

She had tried her most challenging, but that shot wouldn’t cut if it were up to Lily in the editing room. There was no depth to Aiko’s smile—no light in her face or eyes.

On the day of Aiko’s final scene, Ethan made another visit to the set.

His commanding presence was palpable.

The entire crew was on edge, working with an almost suffocating sense of caution. No one dared to make a sound.

Aiko and Grace had been filming their escape scenes for days. Today marked the final scene.

The crew diligently set up the location, ensuring continuity with the previous footage and avoiding errors.

"Ethan, can I have a word with you? Alone?" Aiko asked, stepping up to him.

Lily looked up from her script, glancing at Aiko before turning her gaze to Ethan, who was reading the news on his tablet.

Ethan’s eyes flicked coldly toward Aiko as he closed his tablet and stood. "Come."

Lily watched as Aiko followed Ethan out of the set.

What were they going to talk about?

Distracted, Lily found herself glancing in the direction they had gone. By the time they returned, a considerable amount of time had passed.

"What did you talk about?" Lily asked, walking over to Ethan.

"Curious, are you?" Ethan smirked, amusement and indulgence lighting up his eyes. "Jealous again?"

"You’re not going to tell me?" Lily frowned slightly.

"Should I tell you that I love you?" Ethan teased, pinching her round cheek and seamlessly changing the subject. "How long will it take to shoot Aiko’s final scene?"

"Probably a full day. There’s some action involved so that we might need multiple takes," Lily explained, blinking before asking again, "Are you not going to tell me what you two talked about?"

This woman... she wasn’t letting him change the subject anymore. She was getting sharper.

"How many hats have you bought? You’re wearing a different one today," Ethan remarked, tapping her head.

"I’m a director. Stop treating me like a pet," Lily said, adjusting her hat with mock seriousness. The way he kept patting and pinching her made her feel less like a commanding director and more like a spoiled child.

Ethan couldn’t help but chuckle at her complaints. "Then shouldn’t you be directing your film?"

"I want to know what you talked about. Did she give you the formula for the AuroraVirus antidote?" Lily asked, determined to get an answer.

"Why don’t you guess?" Ethan replied cryptically, a flicker of depth in his eyes.

He reached out to pinch her nose, and Lily, pregnant and less agile, tried to dodge him.

"Lily, could you come over and review my scene?" Aiko’s voice suddenly interrupted, her tone soft and haunting as she appeared beside Lily.

Startled, Lily turned. Did this woman always move so silently?

Gathering her composure, Lily nodded. "Alright, I’ll be there in a moment."

Aiko looked at Ethan as if wanting to say something but ultimately turned and walked away.

Ethan’s gaze followed her coldly. He then turned to the bodyguards nearby. "Keep a close eye on Aiko."

"Yes, Mr. Blackwood."

What was there to watch her for?

Lily was puzzled. She glanced back at Aiko, who was rehearsing lines with Grace. Today was her final scene. After this, would Aiko hand over the formula for the antidote?