Episode 5 of "Apple Cider Vinegar" kicks off in 2015 with a dramatic scene of Natalie granting an interview to Women’s Weekly. With a hint of disdain in her voice, she labels Belle as an attention-seeking individual and offers a halfhearted apology on her behalf. This provokes an intense reaction from Belle, who, in a fit of rage, creates a scene at a birthday party Hek is attending with his loved ones. In a moment of fury, Belle severs ties with Hek and reveals his struggles with drug addiction to everyone present.
Flashing back to 2014, Chanelle confides in Justin about a harrowing experience: Belle's seizure that lasted an excruciating 40 minutes, feeling all too real. As Belle recovers, Chanelle receives a devastating message – Tamara has passed away. She breaks down in tears, sharing the heart-wrenching news with Belle before rushing out in distress.
Belle reverts to her narcissistic ways, posting about Tamara's demise while being driven to the hospital by Clive. Reluctant to go, she faces an ultimatum from Clive: he will leave if she doesn't. She coldly reminds him that he'll lose his son, as he's not the legal father. Clive, heartbroken yet resolute, stays for his son's sake.
Joe is shattered, haunted by the knowledge that Tamara suffered immense pain before her demise. Milla's condition worsens as her boils fester, and Arlo discovers that the black salve she's been using is actually harmful. Enraged, Milla hurls the salve away in disgust.
Meanwhile, Chanelle is deeply upset by Belle's insensitive post about Tamara's death, which hadn't yet been made public. The two find themselves at Lucy's cafe, where Belle meets Lucy for the first time. Seizing the moment when Belle is distracted, Chanelle calls Milla, who is grappling with a tumult of emotions.
Stricken with guilt, Chanelle decides to confront Belle head-on. The final straw comes when Belle gets an identical tattoo to Chanelle's. In a desperate attempt to intervene, Chanelle bluntly asks if Belle has brain cancer. Belle bursts into tears, playing the victim, but Chanelle sees right through her act.She drags not only Clive and their son into her web of deceit but also attempts to emotionally manipulate Belle, insisting that she can see all the good in Belle and urging her to be honest. Belle, seemingly swayed by her words, agrees to make a confession. However, that very night, she posts a shocking revelation online – that she too is battling cancer, affecting her liver, spleen, blood, and uterus. Milla, furious, mocks her in return, but when Belle retaliates by wondering aloud if Milla's cancer has returned, the tables are turned. Unbeknownst to them, Milla's emotional outbreak in a cafe was captured on video by patrons and subsequently uploaded online. In the footage, Milla's sleeve rides up, revealing her bloody boils for all to see. Terrified and at a loss, she finally seeks solace in her father's arms, crying that Tamara's death is her fault. Joe holds her tightly, offering comfort.
Meanwhile, Belle begins to heed Chanelle and Clive's initial warnings to steer clear of the cancer narrative. She attempts to have her name removed from the book, but Julie refuses, insisting that her cancer story is their selling point. To prepare Belle for potentially probing interview questions, they scrutinize her digital footprint. Julie repeatedly questions Belle about her lies, making her increasingly uncomfortable. Eventually, Julie and her assistant grow weary and abandon the mock interview without completing it.
The prognosis for Milla looks grim as Dr. Xiu reveals that her cancer has metastasized to her lungs, ribs, sacrum, and femur. She is ineligible for any further trials, and palliative care becomes her only option. Dr. Xiu estimates that she has just three months left to live. Joe reacts with anger and desperation, but there is nothing more that can be done.
On the night of The Whole Pantry's book launch, Julie cannot shake the mock interviews from her mind. She finds it suspicious that Belle deftly sidestepped any questions demanding proof of her cancer. When Chanelle arrives, Belle frantically attempts to explain herself, but Chanelle has already given up, stating that she has come only to observe Belle digging her own grave.
The long-anticipated speech finally unfolds, with Belle expressing her heartfelt gratitude to all, notably including Milla, whom she affectionately refers to as her "mentor and cherished friend." She then reminisces about Milla's empowering blog post, urging everyone to unleash their roar, prompting Belle to belt out Katy Perry's anthem, 'Roar.' The crowd is entertained, yet Chanelle storms off in a huff.
Chanelle promptly calls Milla, who initially expresses a vengeful desire to bring Belle down. However, her tone shifts abruptly as she retreats into exhaustion and drug-induced haze, granting Chanelle carte blanche to act as she sees fit. Chanelle, visibly shaken, confides in Justin, revealing her fear of witnessing Milla's deteriorated state.
Justin, feeling increasingly discouraged, contemplates abandoning the story altogether until Sean arrives with an unexpected twist – Chanelle's casseroles. Sean ponders aloud, wondering if Belle's reluctance to pass on the food hints at her potential to misappropriate funds meant for Hunter. His intuition proves accurate upon conducting a cursory investigation, revealing that 'The Whole Pantry' isn't a legitimate fundraising entity. This discovery suggests that Belle could face legal action for charity fraud.
To validate their theory, Justin seeks clarification from Hunter's parents, who confirm that they haven't received any financial assistance. Meanwhile, domestic tranquility eludes Belle as Clive shuns her company, preferring to bond with their son instead. Milla, in a poignant new post, solemnly reveals the progression of her cancer, casting blame on herself for her deteriorated health. She discredits the Hirsch treatment and apologizes to her followers for any misleading information. Belle is astounded by the outpouring of support Milla receives.
In a tender moment, Chanelle visits Milla, offering her solace. As Episode 5 of Apple Cider Vinegar concludes, Sean and Justin officially reach out to Belle via email, presenting her with an opportunity to substantiate or refute the allegations of charity fraud and false cancer claims. Belle, caught mid-flight, spots the email and is consumed by a mix of panic and dread before erupting into a scream.
