Chapter 21
Aria gave Willow a cool glance. “Oh? If you’re so sure, then why
come to me at all? You want to take my things and not let me
have a say? What kind of robber’s logic is that?”
Everyone in the Whitmore family favored Tessa. Aria didn’t
care, as long as they didn’t bother her, the peace could hold.
But she wouldn’t just sit and watch if trouble came knocking.
Otherwise, she’d just be a lamb on the chopping block, waiting to
be butchered.
“Aria!” Willow slammed the table, furious beyond words.
Aria rubbed her now–tingling ear. “Grandma, if there’s nothing
else, I’m going to head back.”
She felt unwell, with a stabbing pain in her chest, probably a
warning sign of her illness.
She didn’t want anyone seeing her weak side; no one would care.
She had to get out of there quickly.
Though Aria looked calm on the outside, inside she was burning
with rage.
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She was the blood daughter of the Whitmore family, yet forced
to give her assets to an adopted girl. Why on earth was that fair?
The party was on the first floor, while Willow was resting in her
room upstairs. Their lounge was also on the second floor–not far
from there.
Aria gritted her teeth against the pain and made her way
toward the lounge with her medicine bag in hand.
Clutching her left chest, the ache made her hunch over; every
step was careful and slow.
Suddenly, warm hands wrapped around her, pulling her close.
“Didn’t take your medicine on time again?”
The familiar voice came from above–it was Bennett.
What was he doing here?
Aria froze. Listening to the steady, strong beat of his heart, she
almost forgot about the pain.
Without warning, Bennett lifted her off the ground.
Instinctively, she wrapped her arms around his neck.
His warm breath brushed her skin. “Where’s your medicine?”
Her mind went blank; her face flushed bright red. She couldn’t
Chapter 21
think clearly and admitted, “It’s in the lounge.”
He carried her toward the lounge.
Thankfully, everyone was downstairs, and no one noticed them.
Otherwise, their closeness might have sparked rumors.
On the stairs, Bennett asked a waiter for a cup of warm water.
When he gently set her down in a chair, Aria’s head was still
buzzing.
What was going on? She’d been carried in by Bennett, and this
felt like a dream.
He rummaged through her bag, quickly found a pill, and handed
it to her.
She took it and swallowed. The bitter taste spread across her
tongue, making her frown.
He handed her the warm water, and she finished it all, but the
bitterness lingered.
Sitting beside her, Bennett stared intently. “How many days
have you missed your meds?”
The pain eased slightly, but his gaze made her uncomfortable.
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She thought for a moment–yeah, she had skipped doses.
The medicine was so bitter she often missed meals.
Besides, she hadn’t planned on living much longer anyway.
Whether she took it or not, it made no difference.
Only today, when the pain flared up after being pushed too
hard, did she realize how deadly it could be.
Her will to live had dimmed once again.
Seeing her expression, Bennett knew she hadn’t taken her
medicine properly.
He pulled out her phone and handed it to her. “Add me on
WhatsApp. I’ll keep an eye on you taking your meds.“”
She unlocked her phone, and they added each other.
He put away the phone, stepped out for a moment, then
returned with a small piece of cake.
“Have a little. You just took medicine; dessert can help get rid of
the bitter taste.”
Aria accepted the cake. Her chest didn’t hurt as much now, so
she took a few bites.
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Yeah, it wasn’t quite so bitter anymore.
This guy wasn’t so bad after all.
If only he weren’t Tessa’s backer.
She still couldn’t understand why, since Bennett was already
involved with Tessa, he treated her so kindly.
Wasn’t he afraid of making Tessa jealous?
Bennett glanced down at Aria’s delicate face, which looked even
thinner than before.
He reached out and stroked her hair softly. “You high hydr
still have the
ointment I gave you last time, right? Remember to put it on. And
eat well–you’re too skinny!”
Watching his retreating figure in a daze, for a moment, Aria
really thought Bennett was quite caring.
But since he helped Tessa, he wasn’t the one stealing from her
directly, but he was the reason Tessa felt confident.
With this tangled relationship, she couldn’t face him calmly.
The banquet ended, and by the time they got home, it was
nearly ten.
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After taking her medicine, Aria felt tired and leaned against the
car window, dozing off.
Just as she was about to get out, Tessa suddenly grabbed her
arm and whispered, “I didn’t want to take your things. I’m sick,
and they just want to make me happy by doing this. Please don’t
be mad.”
Aria lifted her eyelids and snorted softly, “So stealing my things
makes you happy, huh?”
Tessa’s face turned pale; she looked like she might cry. “No, you
misunderstood me.”
“You’re talking nonsense! Stop being so hostile and twisting
Tessa’s words!” Chloe snapped angrily.
Aria found it amusing. “Oh really? What a coincidence, you
always like the things I have.”
They’d parked. Aria opened the car door and stepped out
without another word.
She didn’t want to stay a second longer.
Tessa stiffened, looking like she was about to cry from the
injustice.
She opened the door and tried to follow, but was so flustered she
Chapter 21
stumbled and fell to the ground.
Chloe shot Aria a glare and hurried to help Tessa.
But Tessa struggled fiercely, sobbing, “Mom, don’t worry about
- me. Aria is your real daughter. I’m just an outsider. You should
care about her.”
“My illness is punishment for taking over her identity for over
ten years. I’m willing to self–destruct.”
Chloe was heartbroken. “Don’t say such foolish things, silly girl.
I’ve raised you like my own daughter all these years! Saying that
hurts me deeply.”
Tessa glanced timidly at Aria. That look felt like a sharp needle
piercing her heart.
Aria felt humiliated beyond words. –
Chloe then looked at Aria, her face full of heartbreak. “Aria,
please, just apologize to Tessa. Tell her you misunderstood her.”
After a pause, Aria replied coldly, “Would an apology help?
Then why don’t you say a few more sorrys yourself?”
She turned and walked inside.
The commotion outside alerted several brothers and servants,
Chapter 21
who rushed out.
“Ah, Tessa fainted! Lucas, go get Declan right now!”
The Whitmore family instantly descended into chaos.
The empty hall held only Aria. Slowly, she picked up a pen and
crossed out today’s date on the calendar.
Every day in the Whitmore family only strengthened her
resolve to leave. The countdown was 9 days.
