Chapter 5 " Stop clinging to things you can't change ," they'd advised . " Let go . For your own sake . " " But she hadn't understood . Since when was wanting love from her own family unreasonable ? ' That's my father . My mother . My brothers . My engagement . My fiance . Why shouldn't I fight for them ? ' she wondered . CRACK . Lucas's palm struck her face with brutal force . " Aria , you fucking monster - how dare you wish death on Tessa ? " The slap sent her reeling . Too weak to dodge , she took the full impact , her already - pale cheek blooming red . Owen stepped forward , grabbing Lucas's arm with a sharp frown . " Lucas , enough . " Lucas shook him off with a scoff . "A viper like you - why didn't that cut finish you off ? " He turned on his heel and stormed away . Chapter 5 Alone in the hallway , Aria stood frozen , her hospital gown swallowing her frail frame . The sting on her face was nothing compared to the hollowness in her chest . Owen sighed , his voice softening - as if speaking to a deliberately difficult child . " Aria , stop lying ." " What ? " She pressed a hand to her throbbing cheek , eyes narrowing . " Henry told me . You only have minor abrasions . " Owen rubbed his temples , exhausted . " Tessa's in stage two . This is critical for her treatment . Can't you just behave ? " A cold draft swept through the corridor . But it was nothing compared to the ice in her veins . Aria laughed silently , the truth dawning on her . She almost asked - If it were me with cancer , if I were the one dying would you panic like this ? Would you care ? But she already knew the answer . In her past life , they'd celebrated her death . No point humiliating herself further . Chapter 5 " So , Owen , " she said flatly , " how exactly do you want me to ' behave ' ? " His frown deepened at her tone . " Since your injuries aren't serious , you should be discharged early . Free up the room for actual patients ." Rage exploded in her chest . " Go to hell ," she hissed . Owen's face darkened , but Aria didn't care . Her wrist burned - the wound had reopened , blood seeping through the bandages . She was furious . Tessa got sympathy , concern , and round - the - clock care . Aria ? They wanted her gone - bleeding out alone , just to spare Tessa's feelings . Who's the real Whitmore here ? Gritting her teeth , she staggered back to her room and collapsed onto the bed . Every inch of her hurt . Chapter 5 She needed a doctor , but lifting her arm to press the call button felt impossible . Trembling , she clutched the sheets , gasping through the pain . Am I really this worthless ? To die like this ? Darkness swallowed her vision . ***** When she woke again , it was midnight . Something warm gripped her hand . " Aria ! You're awake ! " Juliet's tear - filled eyes blinked down at her , relief flooding her expression . She'd rushed back the moment Bennett called , terrified by the sight of Aria's lifeless body in that hospital bed . " Why cry ? You look ugly , " Aria muttered . L Juliet pouted . " Doesn't matter . You're pretty enough for both of us ." Aria was the most beautiful person she knew - even sick , even pale , she glowed like the moon . Chapter 5 Aria almost smiled . Then she glanced around . " Where's Bennett ? " " Grandfather summoned him - probably about his marriage plans . Want me to call him ? " " No. " Aria cut her off . Absolutely not . Juliet seemed unaware of her cancer diagnosis - Bennett hadn't told her . Good . Then Juliet perked up , fetching a still - warm meal from a thermal bag . " Hungry ? Bennett ordered this for you ." Aria wasn't . But since Juliet insisted she'd eat . Once finished , she shooed Juliet home , then pulled out her phone . After a long pause , she dialed a number . " Mr. Vaughn . I want to cancel the engagement . Yes , I'm sure . No regrets . " The next morning , the hospital room door swung open . Asher Vaughn stood at the threshold , dressed in a crisp white Chapter 5 shirt and tailored slacks . His amber eyes - once warm and adoring - now held a detached calmness that felt foreign . Aria blinked in surprise . In her previous life , Asher hadn't visited her at all during this hospitalization . Shouldn't he be with Tessa right now ? Why was he here now ? He set a paper bag on the nightstand , pulling out an apple with a faint smile . " Want one ? " She shook her head , studying the man she'd once loved so desperately , familiar , yet a stranger .