Adam's mood had shifted completely. From a lonely, withdrawn soul, he was now back to the man he once was — a CEO with purpose. Dressed sharply in a suit and tie, he walked downstairs, confidence in every step.
"Whoa! Who are you and what did you do with Adam?" Daphne teased, a smile tugging her lips.
Adam chuckled and kissed her cheek. "I'm going to work, Mom."
"Really? Are you sure?" Daphne asked, half-shocked, half-proud.
"Shouldn't I?" he replied playfully.
"I'm just saying…I got everything under control," Daphne said proudly, patting her chest.
Adam raised an eyebrow, smirking. "Should I go back to wallowing in misery then?"
"Nah. You can't even if you tried — all thanks to Dawn," Daphne said, laughing.
"I disagree," Adam countered lightly, though a smile lingered on his lips. "See you later. I love you."
He left, and Daphne stood at the door, her heart swelling. She hadn't seen her son like this in years. Dawn had given him a reason to live again.
* * * * * *
Meanwhile, Dawn hadn't confronted Alex at the pizzeria. She'd simply handed her phone back and gone home with Leslie. But silence weighed heavy on her.
"Can you at least give me a hint about what's wrong?" Leslie asked, worry in her voice.
Dawn sat on the couch, chin resting in her palm. Her chest felt tight, like something inside her had shattered. "She was like family…" she whispered.
"Who? Alex? What happened?" Leslie pressed.
"She was working with Peige all along. She must have been the one who gave her the fake DNA samples," Dawn said bitterly.
Leslie froze. "Alex? No. She's not capable of that. She's family."
"She was family," Dawn corrected coldly before standing and walking to her room, leaving Leslie pacing anxiously in the living room.
* * * * * *
Across town, Tara stormed into Peige's house, fuming.
"Why are you still trying to ruin Dawn's life? Haven't you done enough?" she demanded.
"What on earth are you talking about?" Peige asked, looking confused.
"Cut it out, Mom. I know you're the one behind the anonymous message — framing her friend."
"I don't even know her friends," Peige snapped, defensive.
"Stay away from Dawn and her siblings. I mean it." Tara's voice cracked with rage before she stormed out, leaving Peige unsettled and muttering to herself.
* * * * * *
Later that evening, Alex showed up at Dawn's house.
"Dawn, please, I need to explain."
"You don't need to say anything. Leave." Dawn's voice was flat, but her eyes burned.
"I deserve to defend myself. I can't believe you'd think I'd betray you," Alex said, voice breaking.
"Defend yourself with more lies?" Dawn shot back.
"Dawn, I've only ever cared about you. I just wanted to know what was going on so I could help."
"Or to feed Peige details of my life," Dawn interrupted.
"That's not true!" Alex's tears spilled over. "I don't know how that message got on my phone. The only person who touched it was Tara — she borrowed it when her phone was dead. You have to believe me."
But Dawn shook her head, her anger boiling over. "So now you're pinning this on Tara? How low can you get?"
"Why would I even deny it if I did it? What's in it for me?" Alex begged.
"Maybe you wanted to ruin me from the inside out. Keep your enemies close, right?" Dawn's words were sharp, and Alex's heart cracked.
"We've been friends for some time now. Why can't you see that I'd never do this?" Alex pleaded, sobbing.
Dawn's face hardened. "Alex Carter, I don't want to see you again. Stay away from me and my family, or I'll press charges."
Alex's world shattered. Trembling, she nodded and walked away, her tears blurring her vision. Dawn collapsed onto the floor, crying silently. She had lost her friend — or maybe she had never truly known her. But one thing was certain: no one was going to destroy her life again. She wasn't alone anymore. She had her siblings, Daphne, and Adam.
* * * * * *
Months passed, and life slowly returned to normal. Alex stayed at the pizzeria, a ghost from Dawn's past. Dawn's bond with Tara grew stronger, her siblings had found their joy again, and Adam…Adam was different. He was part of their lives now.
On Dawn's birthday, laughter filled the house.
"Happy birthday to our favorite sister! Coming from your favorite," Leslie said smugly.
"Thank you, sweetie. But you're not my favorite," Dawn teased.
"Traitor!" Leslie sputtered, and they both burst into laughter.
"Happy birthday, big sis," Amy said, wrapping her arms around Dawn.
"Thank you, sweetheart."
Jason followed, giving Dawn a warm hug. "You've been the best sister. I wouldn't trade you for anything."
"Aww, thanks, bro."
"Dude, that was cheesy," Leslie teased.
"Like you can talk," Jason shot back.
Dawn's phone buzzed — a message from Alex. Happy Birthday. Without hesitation, she deleted it and smiled at her siblings. "Let's go. Adam and Daphne are waiting."
* * * * * *
At Adam's house, Daphne was on the phone, her tone apologetic. "Dawn, I'm so sorry, I won't be able to make it. Thank you for understanding."
When she hung up, Adam was already coming downstairs, perfectly dressed.
"You look handsome," Daphne said warmly.
"Thanks. You're not ready?" he asked.
"I had to cancel. Something came up." She sighed, sadness flickering in her eyes.
"Is something wrong?" Adam asked.
"No. Nothing you need to worry about." She forced a smile.
"Alright. I'll head out then," Adam said, leaning down to kiss her forehead. But when he opened the door, Tara was standing there.
"What are you doing here?" he asked, surprised.
"I came to wish you luck. And…to warn you. Be careful."
"Careful about what?"
"Isn't it obvious? Dawn is trying to replace Ava."
Adam froze, his expression hardening. "No one can ever replace Ava. She's irreplaceable." His voice was sharp, and he walked past her without another word.
* * * * * *
At the restaurant, Dawn and her siblings waited.
"Relax, sis. You're tense," Leslie teased.
"I'm not nervous," Dawn denied.
Adam soon arrived, his presence commanding. They ordered, chatted lightly, and laughed, but Dawn's heart was racing. She had been carrying something for too long.
Finally, she looked at him and said, "I… I have something to tell you."
Adam leaned in, curious. "I'm listening."
Dawn's eyes met his, steady and unflinching. "I'm in love with you."
The words hung in the air like a spark, waiting to ignite.