Chapter 8 " She wants to do it with Asher . " Chloe studied Aria's expression before hastily adding , " Don't worry . It's just for show . It won't affect your engagement . " Even though she'd expected this , the words still pierced her heart . This was her mother . Aria lifted her gaze , her voice flat . " If you think it's appropriate , then go ahead . I don't mind ." What good would objecting do ? In her previous life , she'd screamed , cried , begged - only to be met with icy disdain . Nothing ever changed . Sometimes , she wanted to ask , ' If it were me with cancer , would you treat me the same way ? ' But she swallowed the question . In her previous life , when Henry had finally revealed the truth , the Whitmores hadn't rushed to comfort her . They'd been relieved , relieved it wasn't Tessa . Chapter 8 If they couldn't care then , why would they now ? Chloe exhaled in visible relief , a smile breaking across her face . She'd braced for Aria's hysterics . Instead , she'd gotten compliance . But the ease of it made her uneasy . " Aria , you're not upset , are you ? " Aria's expression remained blank . If anything , she smiled , " No. She's sick , after all . The dying get their way ! " Chloe's face paled . She didn't dare press further . Aria picked up her fork , staring at the crab roe on her plate with detached indifference . Then , Tessa's video call lit up Chloe's phone . Chloe shot Aria an apologetic glance before hurrying to the sofa to answer . Seizing the moment , Zoe quietly swapped Aria's plate . " Aria , you're allergic . Since Mrs. Whitmore is chatting with Tessa , you shouldn't force yourself . I know you keep antihistamines to avoid disappointing her , but medicine is still poison . You're the one who suffers ." Chapter 8 Aria looked at Zoe with genuine gratitude . " Thank you . I won't eat it again ." Even an outsider had noticed her allergy medication . Yet her family remained willfully blind . Zoe only knew because , once , Aria's allergic reaction had sent her into a near - fatal fever . It was Zoe who'd carried her to the hospital . That night , the Whitmore family had crowded around Tessa , who'd had a mild cold . No one spared Aria a glance . " Just an allergy . Quit being dramatic ." For days , it was Zoe who nursed her back to health . ***** After dinner , Aria helped Zoe clear the table . As she dried her hands , she glanced at the living room , where Chloe was still laughing over Tessa's video call . Aria's resolve hardened . Leaving was the right choice . Chapter 8 Aria looked at Zoe with genuine gratitude . " Thank you . I won't eat it again . " Even an outsider had noticed her allergy medication . Yet her family remained willfully blind . Zoe only knew because , once , Aria's allergic reaction had sent her into a near - fatal fever . It was Zoe who'd carried her to the hospital . That night , the Whitmore family had crowded around Tessa , who'd had a mild cold . No one spared Aria a glance . " Just an allergy . Quit being dramatic . " For days , it was Zoe who nursed her back to health . ***** After dinner , Aria helped Zoe clear the table . As she dried her hands , she glanced at the living room , where Chloe was still laughing over Tessa's video call . Aria's resolve hardened . Leaving was the right choice . Chapter 8 She'd realized too late . Just like the first fifteen years of her life , she'd never truly belonged here . She was , and always had been , the outsider . A promotional calendar hung in the living room , advertising a real estate project . Beneath it , dates were marked in neat grids . Aria picked up a pen and circled April 1st to 7th in red . She counted silently , 23 days left . ***** Upstairs , Aria showered , then opened a real estate app . Since deciding to leave , she'd begun house - hunting in secret . She wanted to disappear gradually . After bookmarking a few listings , she scheduled viewings . But the Yealchinn University district properties were too competitive . The only available ones were dark , damp , and overpriced . Her savings weren't enough . Ever since her fallout with the Whitmore family , no one had given her a cent . Chapter 8 Her money came from odd jobs - helping seniors with urgent tasks . As she boarded the bus home , Juliet called . " Aria , I heard you were discharged . You lost so much blood - why leave so soon ? " Aria touched her bandaged wrist . " I'm fine . Hospitals aren't exactly cozy ! " Juliet hummed in agreement , " Yeah , you're right . Where are you ? It's so noisy !" Aria glanced through the bus window and said , " On the bus . I was house - hunting ." She didn't hide her intention of moving out . Juliet knew everything , after all . Juliet gasped , " You're moving out ? Did you find a place ? " " Not yet . I'll keep looking tomorrow ! " Aria shook her head . It wasn't that Aria was picky . But a home was long - term . Living in discomfort would wear her down . With 23 days left , she wasn't in a rush . She could handle everything properly . " Wait . Let me ask Bennett . He knows people ; he'll find something fast , " Juliet smiled . Chapter 8 Aria frowned . " Don't . It's not worth bothering him ."