Chapter 7
Though barely in his late twenties, Bennett Rhodes carried
himself with the unyielding authority of a man who’d already
conquered empires. The aura of a future titan clung to him.
Aria stumbled forward, her voice stiff. “Hi, Mr. Rhodes.”
They’d never been close. And given that he’d eventually become
Tessa’s staunchest ally, fear coiled in her chest.
Bennett handed her a lunchbox, his lips quirking slightly. “So
tense. Do I scare you?”
She took the container, shaking her head. But bitterness welled
inside her. How could she not be afraid?
In her previous life, his open favoritism of Tessa had
emboldened others to torment Aria–openly, ruthlessly. He’d
never ordered it, but his influence had made it possible.
Bennett studied her bowed head, noting how much she’d
changed from the clingy, tearful child he once knew.
Had it not been for that ring, he might not have recognized her
at all.
Chapter 7
“You can call me Bennett,” he said after a pause. “Like Juliet
does.”
Aria blinked. Was he really this fond of Juliet?
“Okay, Bennett,” she murmured obediently.
Opening the lunchbox, she found soup–rich, fragrant,
unmistakably Juliet’s doing. The girl had been sending blood-
nourishing concoctions relentlessly.
“Thank Juliet for me,” Aria said softly.
Bennett leaned against the wall, arms crossed. “Just Juliet? Not
me?”
She couldn’t tell if he was annoyed or teasing.
“Thank you, Bennett,” she added hastily.
Her wrist injury made eating slow.
As she finished, Bennett spoke again. “I booked you an
appointment with an oncology specialist. Next Monday. Someone will accompany you.”
Aria’s spoon froze mid–air. She hadn’t planned on treatment. Not
when she knew it wouldn’t work.
Chapter 7
Not when she remembered the agony of biopsies, the bone–deep ravages of late–stage cancer–like thorns growing inside her
marrow, devouring her alive.
The mere thought of cold instruments piercing her skin again
made her shudder.
Her wishes were simple now. She would leave the Whitmore
family, break off the engagement, and stop fighting a battle she couldn’t win. She would eat well, sleep well, and die peacefully.
But now Bennett was telling her to fight again?
How could she refuse without seeming ungrateful?
He read her hesitation. “You don’t want to go?”
She nodded.
“You believe in resigning to fate?” he added. Bennett stood, his
gaze piercing. “But remember–if you die, the only ones who’ll
care are the people who hated you the most. Is that what you
want?”
With that, he collected the dishes and left. Aria stared at his
retreating back, numb.
What was the point of living? Her death would delight the
Whitmore family, finally rid of their burden.
Chapter 7
Only her grandmother might mourn, and Juliet, the crybaby.
How pathetic. She couldn’t even fill one table at her own
funeral.
*****
Two days later, Aria was discharged.
Stepping into the Whitmore mansion felt surreal.
THE
In her previous life, they’d banished her because Tessa couldn’t
stand the sight of her.
She’d never returned.
The housekeeper, Zoe, opened the door. “Mrs. Whitmore, Aria is
back!”
Taking Aria’s bag, Zoe beamed. “Mrs. Whitmore was just talking
about you! Come in.”
Chloe rose from the sofa, her designer dress immaculate. Years
of luxury had preserved her beauty.
“Aria, you’re finally home.” She turned to Zoe. “Buy more crab.
Aria loves it.””
For a second, Aria’s heart warmed. Then ice flooded her veins.
Chapter 7
Aria was allergic to crab. Tessa adored it, so they’d memorized
that.
Now they were forcing Tessa’s preferences onto her.
She’d told Zoe about her allergy, dismissed as a tantrum. Every
time she ate crab, her skin would erupt in hives. Yet no one
cared. They’d accuse her of faking weakness for sympathy.
Aria smiled bitterly. Even blood ties could wither to nothing.
At dinner, Zoe diligently peeled crab for Aria, piling it onto her
plate.
Aria stared at the food, unmoving.
Chloe coughed awkwardly, “Aria, there’s something I need to tell
you.”
Aria already knew what Chloe wanted to say. This scene was
identical to her previous life–how could she not?
“Tessa is very sick. We don’t know if she’ll recover. She’s never
been in love, never married… Her only wish now is to take bridal
portraits before it’s too late,” Chloe said.
Aria nodded. “Then let her take them.”
