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 ."