Dawn paced back and forth in her apartment, her heart still racing from last night. What did I do? Why would I… She stopped mid-step, her mind a whole storm of confusion, anger, and regret. A sharp knock snapped her back into the present.
She hurried to the door and opened it.
"Tara?" she said, trying to sound cheerful despite the situation she was in.
Tara stepped in, jaw tight, eyes burning. Dawn gestured toward the couch. "Sit," she said carefully.
"I'm not here for pleasantries," Tara snapped, her voice cold enough to freeze the room.
Dawn frowned. What's gotten into her? "Why are you so… bitter?"
Tara's face twisted. She took a step closer, voice rising. "After all these years, you abandoned my mother! Why would you do that?"
Dawn's pulse spiked. She swallowed hard, trying not to explode. "Is that what she told you?" she said slowly, her tone sharp. "Your mom… she doesn't deserve good things. She doesn't deserve you."
The slap came so fast Dawn didn't even register it until her cheek burned. She staggered back, the sound of their friendship breaking louder than the hit.
"Tara… you raised your hand on me," she whispered, hurt mixing with disbelief.
"I'd do it again if you insult my mom," Tara shot back, eyes blazing.
Dawn sank onto the couch, staring at the floor. After a long moment, she stood, shoulders squared. "It's time for you to leave."
Tara scoffed, already halfway to the door. "I wasn't planning to stay. But selling your body... yeah, that's not the way forward," she said, disgust dripping off every word.
Dawn snapped.
Before she even thought, her hand flew, and she slapped Tara back. "I am not your mother," she hissed.
Tara cupped her cheek, hatred burning in her eyes. Dawn exhaled slowly, voice calmer than she felt. "Have you ever wondered what really happened between your mom and your dad?"
Tara blinked, thrown off. "What do you mean?"
"Since Peige loves lying so much," Dawn said, pointing toward the door, "ask her if she'd dare lie to your face."
Tara glared one last time, then stormed out.
Dawn collapsed on the couch, letting out a long, shaky breath. Money couldn't fix everything. Life still sucked, but maybe, just maybe, she could still glue some pieces back together.
She grabbed her coat and handbag. Time to face Adam.
* * * * * *
Minutes later, she stood at the Manchesters' door. She knocked, but silence. No footsteps. No Daphne. Nothing.
She called. No answer.
Her stomach dropped. What happened? Even if they went to the hospital… which one?
* * * * * *
Determined, Dawn headed straight to the pizzeria. Alex looked up, worried already.
"I need your help," Dawn said, voice tight.
Alex opened her mouth to ask if she was okay, but Dawn shook her head fast. "Not now."
Alex nodded slowly. "What kind of help?"
"My uniform. And a pizza. Just one last delivery," Dawn said, eyes pleading.
Alex hesitated. Her job was on the line… but Dawn's face said this wasn't some joke. "I'll do it," she sighed.
"I swear nothing will go wrong," Dawn promised.
Alex still looked unsure, but she nodded anyway.
* * * * * *
Dawn rushed back home and found Daphne sitting in the parlor. Relief hit her like oxygen.
She ran forward and hugged her. "Where have you been? I was losing it."
"Adam was sick. I took him to the hospital," Daphne said gently. "And I got your documents back from Mr. Harrow. Also… I brought you something."
Dawn froze. Even when her world felt like it was falling apart, Daphne was always silently fixing things behind the scenes.
"Thank you… I really appreciate it," Dawn whispered, eyes wide.
Daphne pulled out a shining blue crescent moon necklace. Dawn stared, stunned.
"My mom gave this to me when I was getting married. It's a family heirloom," Daphne said softly.
"Why give it to me?" Dawn asked, voice shaking.
"My mom told me to pass it down to my daughter, then she to hers… and so on." Daphne took her hand. "I've seen how hard you fight for your siblings. That's why I want you to have it."
Tears filled Dawn's eyes instantly. "I… don't even know what to say."
"You don't have to," Daphne smiled.
Dawn hugged her tight, heart full. "I don't know what I'd do without you."
Daphne smiled, then mentioned she still had to return to the hospital. Dawn promised to come later.
As soon as the door closed, Dawn jumped. Yes, actually jumped. Her siblings rushed in, terrified.
"What happened? Are you okay?" Jason asked.
"I'm overjoyed! Come on, dance with me!"
"With no music?" Leslie blinked.
"Use your imagination," Dawn laughed.
Before long, they were dancing like fools, and for the first time in forever, the house wasn't heavy.
* * * * * *
The next day, a knock came. Alex stood there with Dawn's uniform and a pizza.
"Thank you," Dawn said, giving her a quick smile before Alex hurried off.
Dawn came back inside with bags.
"A witch costume?" Leslie frowned.
"Why am I a clown? I'm not even funny," Jason complained.
"A fairy?" Amy asked, already twirling around.
Dawn explained the plan: bring joy to someone who hadn't smiled in a long time.
The kids grumbled, but they changed.
* * * * * *
At the hospital, they found Adam lying on his bed, staring at the ceiling. Daphne sat quietly beside him.
Dawn leaned down to whisper the mission.
"Leslie, you're the witch. Jason, you and Leslie act like villains. Amy, you're the fairy."
"Why am I the witch?" Leslie groaned.
"Because it suits you, I mean, you're a witch in disguise," Jason teased.
"I'm a witch? You're a clown. And you're not even funny," Leslie shot back.
"You're not funny," Jason snapped.
"Both of you—stop," Dawn hissed, half exhausted. "This is for someone sick, remember?"
"Why does Amy get to be the fairy?" Leslie argued again.
"Because she looks like a fairy. You look like a witch," Jason said proudly.
"If I'm a witch, so are you," Leslie muttered.
Their argument echoed until laughter broke the air.
Adam was laughing. Not the polite smile he usually forced. A real laugh. A bright one.
And just like that, Dawn's heart melted.