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 . Chapter 21 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 . Chapter 21 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 . Chapter 21 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 . Chapter 21 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 .