They reached the hospital in panic, hearts thudding like drums as they ran through the bright white corridors, the smell of antiseptic mixing with fear. Ava spotted the ward first and darted in.
Adam lay still on the bed, pale under the harsh lights. A tube ran down his arm, machines beeped beside him—each sound stabbing deeper into their hearts.
"Adam!" Ava cried, falling beside him. Her shaking hands grabbed his arm, tears spilling down her face uncontrollably.
Daphne entered next, her eyes going wide. She pressed a hand to her chest, gasping. "Oh, my son…" Her voice broke mid-sentence.
At the door, Dawn froze. Her vision blurred, her breath catching in her throat. What if he doesn't wake up? What if I lose him? Her legs wobbled, the room spun, then a loud thud followed.
"Dawn!" Daphne screamed. Dawn lay on the floor, limp.
Nurses came rushing, lifting her onto a stretcher, rolling her down the hall while Daphne stood there, trembling, her world collapsing. Two people she loved—both fighting for life.
* * * * * *
Meanwhile, Amy and Leslie entered Ava's room, expecting her. But it was empty. Just then, the phone on the side table rang sharply.
Leslie grabbed it. "Hello?"
A rough male voice came through. "The job's done."
Leslie's brow furrowed. "What job? Who is this?"
But the line went dead.
Amy's eyes were wide. "What did he say?"
Leslie swallowed. "He said... the job's done."
The words hung heavy between them.
* * * * * *
When Dawn woke up, her head throbbed. "I'm fine," she told the doctor with a weak smile, even though her pulse was racing. She slipped out quietly and found her way to Adam's ward.
Daphne looked up, relief flooding her face. She stood and hugged Dawn tight. "Oh, thank God. You scared me."
"I'm okay. Just dizzy," Dawn said softly.
"Are you sure you're okay? What happened?" Daphne asked, still sounding worried even after Dawn swore she was fine.
Dawn gave her a small smile. "I'm okay, really."
Daphne didn't look convinced, but the soft curve of Dawn's lips eased her a little. Maybe she was telling the truth.
"You got good news?" Daphne asked hopefully.
"I'll tell Adam first," Dawn whispered and walked to his bedside. Seeing him still, her chest tightened. She held his hand, her tears falling. "Please, Adam… wake up. We need you."
The door swung open and Ava stormed in. Her grief turned to anger the moment she saw Dawn.
"Stay away from my husband!" she yelled, shoving Dawn back. "Since you came, everything's gone wrong!"
"Enough, Ava!" Daphne barked. "Dawn gave him a reason to fight, don't forget that."
"That's because I wasn't here!" Ava snapped. "Now that I am, he'll remember who he really loves."
"Did he tell you that?" Daphne shot back.
"He doesn't need to," Ava said, lifting her chin.
Dawn touched Daphne's arm gently. "It's fine. Please, rest." Her voice cracked a little as she left the room.
Outside, she leaned on the wall, trying to steady her breath.
A nurse stopped. "Ma'am, are you okay?"
"I'm fine," Dawn said quickly, wiping her face.
Moments later, Alex appeared, spotted her, and hurried over. "Dawn! What happened?"
"Adam had an accident," Dawn whispered. "But he'll be okay… he has to be."
Alex wrapped her arms around her. "Don't cry. he will pull through."
Then Ava's voice cut through again like glass. "This is all your fault! If you never came into his life ...."
Alex stood, her tone sharp now. "Watch your mouth. She's his wife, Ava. Deal with it."
Ava glared, then turned and walked off without another word.
Dawn sighed. "He said he'd join me soon, then left after a phone call. I should've stopped him."
"You couldn't have known," Alex said softly.
Dawn nodded weakly. "I'm going to sit with him."
Inside, she took Adam's hand again. Daphne later came in, insisting she go home.
"Go home, Dawn. Rest," Daphne said gently.
"I'll stay. He's my husband," Dawn replied without thinking.
Daphne blinked. "You… called me Mom."
Dawn smiled faintly. "You are like one."
Daphne hugged her tight, tears in her eyes.
* * * * * *
By morning, Adam stirred. His eyes fluttered open to see Dawn asleep beside him. He smiled faintly.
When he moved, she woke instantly. "Adam! You're awake!"
He grinned weakly. "Yeah… seems I made it."
"Are you in pain? Should I call the doctor?"
"I'm fine. But you, you didn't go home?"
She shook her head. "I couldn't."
He chuckled. "You're unbelievable."
"I have something to tell you," she said.
"What is it?"
"Good news. But ..." Before she could finish, Ava burst in and threw her arms around him.
"Adam!" she sobbed.
"Hey, easy!" he said, laughing weakly. "You'll break my ribs."
She sniffed and smiled. "Sorry. I'm just happy you're awake."
Then she noticed Dawn. The warmth vanished. "Can we talk alone?"
Adam looked at Dawn confused. "I can't send her out. She was with me throughout the night
"Oh, so she can stay all night, but I can't have five minutes?"
"You left, Ava. She didn't."
"I had no choice!" Ava snapped. "You always defend her!"
"It's fine," Dawn cut in quietly. "I'll go home and cook something for you."
"You don't have to ..." Adam started.
"I want to," she said and slipped out.
As the door closed, Ava muttered, "I've missed a lot, haven't I? I can't believe you're standing up for her instead of me," Ava snapped.
"Can we not do this right now? We're in a hospital, and I need some rest," Adam said, his voice tight with irritation.
"Oh, so now you're mad at me because she left? That's what this is about?" Ava pressed, her tone sharp.
"I'm not mad," he said flatly. "I'm just being fair."
"You love her more than me."
He met her gaze calmly. "Is there proof?"
She scowled. "Forget it. Get well soon." Then she walked out.
* * * * * *
Dawn arrived home to the warmth of her siblings, who ran to hug her the second she walked through the door.
"Where have you been? Are you okay?" Amy asked, worry lacing her voice.
"I'm fine," Dawn said, managing a tired smile. "Adam had an accident, but he's awake now."
They all exhaled in relief. "We'll go see him tomorrow," Jason said.
"Okay," Dawn murmured, heading toward the kitchen.
A few minutes later, Amy slipped in quietly. Dawn turned from the stove and smiled softly. "Hey, princess. What's wrong?"
Amy hesitated, fidgeting with her fingers. "Ava's… acting strange."
Dawn frowned, her attention sharpening. "Strange how?"
"Someone called her earlier," Amy said. "Leslie picked up by mistake, and the person said, 'The job's done.'"
Dawn froze. "What did you just say?"
"Yeah. Leslie asked what job he meant, but the man hung up," Amy replied, her tone small.
Dawn pressed a hand to her forehead. "Oh my God. Amy, what have I told you about getting involved in other people's business?"
"You said not to," Amy mumbled, eyes dropping.
"Exactly," Dawn said firmly. "I don't want Leslie's bad habits rubbing off on you."
"Sorry," Amy whispered and slipped out quietly.
The kitchen went still. Dawn turned back to the stove, but her mind was no longer there.
The job's done.
Her hand froze mid-stir. Her heart began to pound.
Adam's accident.
A mysterious phone call.
Ava.
It all began to fit together in a way that terrified her.
"Oh no…" she breathed, backing against the counter as her chest tightened. "It can't be…"