30 Days of Passion and Revenge-Chapter 324: Play Until You Stay

Did she even deserve to love him again?

The thought lingered in Lily’s mind, heavy and unshakable.

The opera’s first act had ended, and the lights dimmed. She barely noticed, assuming the second act was about to begin.

A single note broke the silence.

A saxophone.

Its deep, rich tone echoed through the empty theater, filling every inch of space with a haunting melody.

Lily’s breath caught.

The curtain lifted.

Soft lighting illuminated the stage, casting a warm glow over a single figure standing at its center.

Ethan.

Dressed in the clothes she had bought for him, the saxophone poised at his lips, he played that song.

"Green Island Serenade."

A song he had learned for her.

A song that once filled a room when he had boldly declared to everyone that she was his girlfriend—not his mistress.

The memory surged back like a tidal wave, crashing over her, drowning her in emotion.

Lily sat frozen.

Ethan was completely absorbed in his music. His posture was graceful, and his fingers moved with effortless precision over the keys.

His lashes cast shadows over his sharp features, his expression unreadable yet achingly vulnerable.

The world was silent for the first time and felt like forever.

No arguments. No accusations. No past wounds ripping open.

Just music.

Deep. Melancholic. Unmistakably his.

Trembling, Lily rose from her seat.

Slowly, she stepped into the aisle, her feet moving forward as if pulled by an unseen force.

Ethan continued playing, lost in the melody.

In the dim glow of the stage lights, he looked almost peaceful.

The song ended.

Ethan lowered the saxophone, handing it off to a waiting staff member.

He turned toward the audience, his sharp gaze searching for her.

His eyes landed on her empty seat. His entire body tensed.

Panic flashed across his face.

The spotlight shifted.

Lily stood in the aisle, bathed in light.

Ethan’s shoulders eased.

Relief flickered in his expression before he lifted the microphone to his lips.

"Lily."

His voice, deep and steady, resonated through the theater.

Lily didn’t move.

Ethan pressed his lips together, hesitating. Then—

"If I play until sunrise... will you forget all the pain I’ve caused you?"

Lily’s breath hitched.

"What about the day after tomorrow?"

"Or the day after that?"

She swallowed hard.

"Four days?"

He took a step closer.

"A month?"

A sharp, breathless laugh almost escaped her.

"Are you seriously going to play for a whole month?"

But Ethan wasn’t joking.

His dark eyes locked onto hers, unwavering.

"Lily, I want you to live. I want you to be happy." His voice was firm, raw with intensity. "Forget the pain. Forget Alex Carter. If you can’t forget—then I’ll make you forget. Even if I have to jump into a lake. Even if I must keep playing this song until my lungs give out. Even if I have to put a damn bullet in myself."

Lily’s chest tightened.

He was so damn relentless.

So stubborn.

So Ethan.

And yet, why did his words make her want to cry?

His voice filled the empty theater, each word hammering against her heart.

Tears blurred her vision.

And for the first time in a long, long time—

She didn’t stop them from falling.

Ethan didn’t say another word.

He picked up the saxophone again and played.

And played.

One song after another.

As if he could rewrite their past with music.

As if he could drown out all the pain with every note.

As if he could make her believe in them again.

"Stop playing."

Lily’s voice was quiet, but Ethan didn’t listen.

His fingers pressed against the saxophone keys with steady precision, moving as if on instinct. Song after song, he played—never pausing, never tiring.

And Lily—

She couldn’t stop crying.

She sat in the first row, watching him through tear-blurred eyes, her chest aching with every note.

The spotlight bathed him in a golden glow, silhouetting his tall frame. He looked almost serene in the moment, lost in the music.

But she knew better.

This man—this stubborn, impossible man—had done everything for her.

Everything.

And now, he was giving her this.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Ethan lowered the saxophone. His breath was uneven, and his shoulders rose and fell with exhaustion.

Lily had cried herself numb.

Ethan stepped off the stage, walking toward her. His brows pulled together in a faint frown.

"I didn’t bring you here to cry."

His voice was hoarse—too hoarse.

Lily wanted to say something, but the words wouldn’t come.

He had played for so long... too long.

Ethan sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Let’s go home."

He pulled her gently to her feet, leading her outside.

By the time they reached the car, it was already past midnight.

The streets were quiet, the world settling into silence.

Ethan drove without a word, his focus unwavering. But when they neared Shallow Bay, he deliberately slowed down, taking a different route.

Lily noticed, and she said nothing.

Eventually, the car pulled up in front of the 30 Days Memorial Hotel.

Ethan stepped out first, naturally reaching for her as they walked inside.

Lily didn’t resist—but she didn’t speak either.

She stared at him, her eyes still red from crying.

"Lily—"

"Don’t talk," she interrupted softly. "Just rest."

His voice was still shaky from exhaustion. He had pushed himself too far, and she hated that she cared.

Ethan smirked faintly.

"Are you worried about me?"

Before she could answer, he suddenly turned, backing her against the elevator wall.

His hand lifted, tilting her chin up.

Her tear-streaked face, her swollen eyes—she had never looked more fragile.

"Are you tired of this?" she murmured, searching his face.

"I don’t care how long it takes," Ethan said firmly. "As long as you forget."

"People don’t just forget pain, Ethan."

"Then I’ll keep trying."

He leaned in, pressing the lightest kiss against her lips.

"I’ll do it until it’s enough."

Lily’s throat tightened.

She had no idea what to say anymore.

As they exited the elevator, Ethan laced his fingers through hers, leading her toward the presidential suite.

"Your film’s premiere is in two days." His voice was casual, as if the past few hours hadn’t happened. "Are you going?"

Lily blinked.

Her film.

"The Best Future."

Her heart sank.

"It’s releasing already?"

The industry’s strict film regulations usually meant long delays. But then again—Ethan had connections.

No doubt, he had pulled strings behind the scenes.

She hesitated.

Going to the premiere? After everything? After the scandal, the rumors, the death of Aiko Nakamura?

Who would walk into that theater actually caring about the film itself?

"I won’t go," she said quietly.

Ethan didn’t push her.

"Then we’ll just watch it together."

Lily blinked.

"What?"

"Even if you skip the premiere, you’re not skipping your own movie." Ethan raised a brow, unlocking the suite door. "You owe me that much, don’t you?"

"Watch ’The Best Future’?"

Lily hesitated.

She had abandoned the film’s post-production, barely involved beyond the halfway mark. Could she even call herself its director anymore?

"I—"

"I’ll go with you."

Before she could finish, Ethan pulled her inside the suite.

A small scrap of paper fluttered to the floor.

Lily bent down, picking it up. Her brows furrowed.

It was her note. The one she had left for Ethan before going out to buy clothes.

"I stuck this on the inside door," she murmured. "How did it end up here?"

Hadn’t he said he never saw it?

Then why was it here now?

Ethan’s gaze darkened, his expression unreadable.

"I’m thirsty," he said abruptly. "Get me some water."

Lily frowned but obeyed, walking toward the kitchenette.

The moment she was out of sight, Ethan’s sharp gaze swept the room.

His steps led him to the entryway, where he reached into the shoe cabinet.

In mere seconds, his fingers brushed against something small—a hidden camera.

His jaw clenched.

Damn him.

His father never played fair.

Ethan exhaled sharply, then moved to the interior walls, running his hands along the edges, searching for more.

"What are you doing?"

Lily’s voice startled him.

She stood in the doorway, holding a glass of water, watching him with growing suspicion.

Ethan quickly masked his frustration, stepping back.

With a scoff, he flicked the tiny camera into the trash like it was nothing.

"This suite smells weird," he said coolly. "We’re changing rooms."

Lily blinked. "Weird? It smells fine to me."

"No, it doesn’t. We’re switching."

Without waiting for her response, he took the glass from her hands, placed it aside—untouched—and grabbed her wrist, leading her out.

Lily’s confusion only deepened.

Hadn’t he just said he was thirsty? Why wasn’t he drinking?

Something wasn’t right.

Instead of another luxury suite, Ethan bypassed the presidential options entirely, leading her to a simple double room.

A single bedroom, one bathroom—modest, neat, and completely visible from all angles.

Lily watched as Ethan scanned the space, his gaze meticulously sweeping every corner.

It wasn’t just a glance.

He was searching for something.

"Ethan?"

He didn’t answer.

Instead, he walked into the bathroom, closing the door behind him.

Lily stood there, staring after him, the weight of the night pressing down on her.

Why did she feel like something was slipping through her fingers?

When Ethan returned, his expression was unreadable.

"Shower. Sleep."

His voice left no room for argument. 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

Lily hesitated, then sighed. She slipped off her jacket and stepped toward the bathroom.

A small folded note fell from her pocket.

She barely had time to reach for it before Ethan snatched it up.

Her breath hitched.

Because in his hands—

It was a formula.

AuroraVirus antidote.

Her body tensed.

Ethan’s gaze met hers, unyielding.

"I’m arranging a medical team for you." His voice was steady, absolute.

Lily said nothing.

She lowered her gaze, silent.

That silence infuriated him.

"You’re refusing treatment?" His tone dropped. "Lily, do you want to die?!"

Still, she said nothing.

Ethan let out a slow, controlled breath.

"Fine," he muttered darkly.

He lifted his saxophone case.

"Then I’ll play for you. Every damn day. Until you give in."

Lily’s lips parted in disbelief.

"You’re threatening me... with music?"

Ethan smirked, dangerous and smug.

"I found your weakness, didn’t I?"