Dawn looked up, and froze. Alex. Standing there in the doorway, calm and collected, like nothing had happened but everything had happened.
"Alex!" Dawn's voice cracked, the words spilling out before she could stop them. She ran forward, almost tripping over her own feet, and wrapped her arms around her friend. Her chest felt like it might burst. "Where have you been? I've been calling you… non-stop!"
Alex gave a small, tired smile. "I needed… a break from everything. But I'm okay. You?"
"Tara—she locked me in. I was setting up a surprise for Adam," Dawn explained, breathing hard, still clutching Alex's shoulders.
"Wow… I didn't know you two were that close," Alex said, eyebrows raised.
"Yeah… and I'm sorry, I was a total jerk before."
Alex laughed softly, teasing. "I know." And then both of them burst into shaky, relieved laughter.
Together, they set up the gift. Boxes, ribbons, little notes tucked everywhere, balloons floating lazily against the ceiling. Finally, they were ready, and the hospital trip began.
* * * * * *
Inside Ava's room, candles flickered, rose petals scattered across the bed, and balloons bobbed gently.
Adam walked in, stopped dead, eyes wide as he took it all in. A soft smile curved his lips. He stepped forward and hugged Dawn tight. She tried to pull back, to let him go to Ava—but he caught her hand.
"I want you… and Ava… to celebrate your anniversary alone," she said softly.
"I want you here too," he murmured.
Dawn smiled, settling beside him as he whispered happy anniversaries to Ava, voice full of tenderness.
Her phone buzzed. Daphne. A credit alert. Pay. Dawn stared at the screen. Money didn't feel like anything anymore. All that mattered… was Adam. And she needed to tell Daphne everything.
"Are you okay?" Adam asked, noticing her distant look.
"Yes. I'm fine," she said, too quickly.
"Sure? You can talk to me," he pressed, voice gentle but firm.
"I know. It's nothing," she replied, faint smile.
* * * * * *
Across town, Tara was destroying everything in sight, rage echoing off the walls.
"What is wrong with you? I bought those!" Peige barked, stepping in.
"I did everything everything to ruin her life, to separate Adam and Dawn—and nothing works! She's still happy!" Tara shrieked.
"Why? What did she ever do to you?" Peige asked, confused, worried.
"She… she took everything from me. My childhood. My life."
"That's… absurd," Peige said sharply.
"Are you on her side now?" Tara snapped, eyes flashing.
"No… never. I'm just saying ..."
"I don't need your help. I have a plan." Tara's lips curved into a slow, smug smile, shadows of cruelty in her eyes.
* * * * * *
Later, Dawn and Adam got home. Daphne was at her desk, sorting paperwork, sighing tiredly. Adam went up to get some rest.
"Need help?" Dawn asked.
"What I need is a secretary," Daphne muttered, exhausted.
"I know someone," Dawn said, grinning.
"Who?"
"Alex. She's perfect."
Daphne's eyes lit up. "Consider her hired."
Dawn blinked. "And… I need a job too. I can't keep taking money from you. Not anymore."
Daphne smiled softly. "Don't worry. I want you here, no matter what."
A knock interrupted, sharp and insistent.
"Come in," Daphne called.
Tara stepped in, mischief in her stride, eyes glinting.
"What are you doing here?" Dawn snapped, telling Daphne quickly about the earlier chaos.
"Leave," Daphne ordered firmly.
"I'm not leaving. I need to see Adam," Tara said, cool as ice.
Their voices rose, a sharp echo through the house. Adam appeared, jaw tight.
"I came to tell you something your mom and girlfriend are hiding," Tara said, venom in her eyes.
"I don't want to hear it. Leave," Adam said, voice low but iron.
"Dawn doesn't love you," Tara pressed. "It's a deal. Your mom—she's paying her. Not just babysitting. Pretending she loves you."
"That's a lie! Get out!" Dawn yelled, fists clenching.
Tara smirked, finally turning. "Goodbye, Dawn."
Adam froze mid-step, eyes darting between Dawn and Daphne.
"Is it true?" he demanded, voice tight.
"No! It's not!" Dawn cried, rushing to him.
"Mom… are you paying her?" Adam's tone cut sharp, hurt lacing every word.
"I… Adam, listen ..." Daphne faltered.
"So it's true." His face hardened, anger boiling.
"Adam, that was before ..." Dawn began, but he shook his head violently.
"Don't come near me. After all I've been through… I trusted you, Dawn. Gave you my heart—and this—" His voice cracked. He turned and stormed upstairs.
Daphne's shoulders shook. "I didn't mean… I didn't…"
Dawn hugged her tight. "I'll fix it," she whispered fiercely.
* * * * * *
Night swallowed her as she ran, heart hammering. Fury, grief, desperation twisting together.
Her siblings followed her home, worried, but she barely heard them.
"How did Tara know?" Leslie asked softly.
"I told her… I thought she was my friend," Dawn said bitterly.
"It hurts… knowing it started as a deal," Jason murmured, "but what you and Adam have… that's real."
"I should have told him," Dawn admitted, voice cracking.
"This isn't your fault," Leslie said firmly, pulling her close.
* * * * * *
Tara, meanwhile, celebrated her "victory" at a club.
Alex spotted her. Stormed up. Slap. Cold, hard, unyielding.
"That's for lying about me." Another slap. "For hurting my friend." Another. "For ruining a relationship."
Alex left, leaving Tara stunned, seething, rage spilling like fire.
* * * * * *
Next morning, Dawn packed breakfast, sent her siblings off, dressed neatly, heart heavy.
"Morning," Daphne greeted. "Adam hasn't come out yet."
Dawn climbed stairs, knocked on his door. Silence. Pushed it open empty.
Panic climbed her throat. Back to Daphne.
"He's not there," she said, voice tight.
They rushed to the hospital. No Adam.
A chill ran through her veins. Thoughts scrambled, dark, frantic.
Where… could he be?