Chapter 6 This was the man who'd pledged his heart to her - only to later give every piece of it to Tessa . There had been a time when Asher's love felt unshakable . He'd pursued her with grand , sweeping gestures , declaring to the world that she was his one and only . She'd believed him . But love was fickle . Somewhere along the way , Tessa became his priority . Every crisis , every tear - Asher would drop everything to rush to her side . Aria had cried . She'd fought . All it earned her was his cold disdain . " Why can't you be more understanding ? " In her previous life , she'd wasted years fighting for him . Now , she was done . Asher sat at the edge of the bed , hesitating before speaking . " Tessa's very ill . I'll need to stay with her for a while . The engagement party - we'll have to postpone it ." Chapter 6 Of course , it was because of Tessa again . Aria had expected this . Though a dull ache lingered in her chest , she no longer cared enough to argue . The breeze from the window felt like a wake - up call . Seeming to sense her silence , Asher quickly added , " Don't worry. I'm not calling it off - just delaying . " But she was the one who didn't want to marry him anymore . The moment she'd woken up in this hospital - alive - she'd realized something . Nothing mattered . Not family . Not love . Not Asher . A month from now , on May 1st , Logan Vaughn would celebrate his 80th birthday . That was the day she'd officially end this farce . And then ? She'd leave the Whitmore family for good . There would be no more treatments , no more fighting , and no more pretending she wanted to live . Not when the people who should've cared didn't even ask about her injuries - only Tessa's tragedy . Chapter 6 Aria smiled faintly . " Of course . Tessa's health comes first . I understand . " Asher stiffened , caught off guard by her compliance . The Aria he knew would've screamed , cried , and thrown things . This quiet , subdued version unnerved him . Had the injury changed her ? Or was this another act ? His gaze darkened briefly before softening . " Don't misunderstand . Tessa and I - it's not what you think . She's just in a fragile state right now ! " Aria almost laughed . The entire Whitmore family was at Tessa's beck and call , yet she needed Asher , too ? How pathetic . How had she ever missed how shameless he was , enjoying her devotion while whispering sweet nothings to Tessa ? He was a textbook narcissist . Back then , she'd been so starved for love that she'd ignored the glaring red flags . Now ? The scales had fallen from her eyes . She tilted her pale face up , lips curving . " It's fine . Really . " Chapter 6 Postpone all he wanted . There wouldn't be a wedding . Asher frowned , but before he could speak , his phone rang . The way his entire demeanor softened at the caller ID screamed Tessa . After a hushed exchange , his expression tightened . " I'll be right there . " Hanging up , he glanced at Aria . " Rest well . I have to go ." She nodded serenely . " I will ." The ease of her agreement visibly relaxed him . Within moments , he was gone . Aria padded barefoot to the window , watching Asher's car disappear down the street . Then she returned to bed . In her previous life , she would've thrown a tantrum - demanded he stay , accused him of betrayal . Asher would've sighed in disappointment . " Must you always be so difficult ? " He would give her a cold shoulder . And inevitably , she'd be the Chapter 6 one to apologize . All it took was for him to pat her head and murmur , " Don't be jealous of Tessa . " " She'd melt and be happy for a few days . During Aria's five days in the hospital , there was not a single visit from the Whitmore family . It was with her expect . Hearts don't turn cold overnight - but sometimes , a single moment is all it takes to snuff out hope entirely . With no expectations left , these had ironically been Aria's most peaceful days . Juliet , however , called multiple times daily , her worry palpable even through the phone . " I'm still at school and can't bring you lunch , but I asked Bennet to drop it off for you . Is he here ? " Aria's scalp prickled . She wanted to refuse - this really wasn't necessary . Before she could speak , she looked up - and froze . There he stood . Their eyes locked.