Adam rushed home, heart beating too fast it almost hurt, his mind spinning with panic. When he burst through the door, he saw Dawn on the floor, not moving much, and Ava right beside her crying and shaking like she didn't even know what to do. His chest tightened. He didn't think—he just ran to her, picked Dawn up in his arms and carried her straight to the car. Ava followed behind, hands trembling, phone clutched so tight it might break.
* * * * * *
The drive to the hospital felt too long, like the road stretched forever. Adam kept glancing at Dawn through the mirror, whispering "just hold on" over and over, even though she couldn't hear him. When they finally arrived, he jumped out, shouting for help. Nurses rushed over, pushing a stretcher, and Dawn was gone down the hallway before he could even breathe.
Ava stood there crying, her face wet and messy. "She ate and then... I don't know what happened," she stammered between sobs. "She just fell... she couldn't breathe, Adam, I ..." her voice cracked before she could finish.
Adam pulled her into his arms, his own hands shaking. "Shhh, hey, it's okay. She's gonna be okay." He said it but didn't believe it himself.
Then Daphne came rushing in, breathless, her eyes wild. "What happened?! How is she?"
"We don't know yet," Adam said quietly, still holding Ava who wouldn't stop crying.
The doctor finally walked out. His face told the story before his mouth even opened. "She's stable," he said, slow, too calm. Then he sighed, rubbing his forehead. "But... she lost the baby."
Ava gasped so loud the whole hall went quiet. Daphne broke down instantly. Adam just stood there; jaw tight, eyes blank. He nodded once, trying to hold it all together, even though inside it felt like the ground had fallen from under him.
"I'll go see her," he muttered and walked away.
* * * * * *
Inside the ward, Dawn sat up on the bed, pale, staring at nothing. The air was heavy, filled with that hospital smell. Adam came closer, his voice soft. "How are you feeling?"
She turned her head slowly, eyes red. "It was Ava."
He blinked. "What?"
"It was Ava," she repeated, tears sliding down. "She poisoned me, Adam. I know it. Right after I ate, I felt something was wrong."
Adam froze, his throat tightening. "Dawn, no… that can't be true. You must be mistaken."
"I didn't want to say anything before," Dawn began quietly, her voice trembling, "but I'm sure Ava also responsible for your accident."
Adam looked up, stunned. "Dawn, that's enough. Ava is my wife. She would never do something like that."
"I caught her with Tara the other day," Dawn said, her tone sharper now. "Tara told me Ava asked for her help."
Adam exhaled harshly, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "You know Tara... she lies, she twists things just to cause drama. She's always wanted to tear this family apart."
"Adam, you're not listening to me!" Dawn's voice cracked, tears welling. "I said Ava is responsible for the loss of my child! Do you really think I'd joke about something like that?"
Her words hit the air like glass shattering, sharp and final.
"Alright, fine. The food can be tested," she said, her voice shaky but sure. "It's still on the table. Go test it if you don't believe me."
Adam just stared at her, lost for words. "Do you understand what you're saying? That Ava did this?"
"I would never lie about something like this," Dawn whispered.
He clenched his jaw, nodded once, and turned to leave without saying another word.
* * * * * *
Leslie and Jason came down the stairs arguing like usual.
"You don't listen!" Leslie snapped. "I said, cut me some slack."
Jason frowned. "What are you even hiding?"
"What do you care?"
"I care more than you think," he said seriously.
She sighed, dropped on the couch, then motioned for him to sit. "Okay, fine. But promise you won't tell Dawn. Swear it."
Jason raised his pinky. "Swear."
Leslie looked around before whispering, "My grades are dropping… and I have a boyfriend."
Jason's eyes almost popped out. "What?! Dawn's gonna kill you!"
"That's why you're not going to tell her!" she shot back fast.
"You're not supposed to have a boyfriend!"
"Jason, I'm turning eighteen soon, okay? I'm graduating next month. I'm not a kid anymore."
"Yeah, but still you picked a boy from school?" he muttered, half whispering, half yelling.
She rolled her eyes and got up. "You're not Mom, Jason. Stop acting like her." She stormed upstairs, leaving him shaking his head.
* * * * * *
Tara crossed the quiet street in her heels, tapping sharp on the pavement, until she reached a pale blue door. She knocked twice. The door opened and a teenage girl stood there in an oversized hoodie, annoyed.
"Oh, you again," the girl said, folding her arms. "What do you want this time?"
Tara smirked. "Well hello to you too, sweetheart. You look tense. Long day?"
"Cut it. I already told you what you wanted to know; that Leslie went to that party. I'm not saying anything else."
Tara put on that fake hurt look. "You make it sound like I forced it out of you. I just came to say thank you. And maybe give you a little something… for graduation."
The girl blinked, curious despite herself. "Graduation?"
"Yeah," Tara said with a soft smile. "You're top of your class, right?"
"Well… I was," the girl said, glancing down. "But Leslie usually gets higher scores."
"Oh?" Tara tilted her head. "Usually?"
"She's been distracted lately," the girl said. "She's dating some guy. Liam, I think."
"Ah," Tara hummed, smiling small. "Love can be distracting." Then her tone softened again, that manipulative kind. "You know, she's my cousin. I worry about her. She doesn't talk to me much, so I just wanted to check she's okay."
The girl's expression softened. "Oh, sorry. I didn't know that."
Tara's lips curved, satisfied. "Don't be. You've helped more than you know." She turned to leave.
"Wait," the girl called. "You said you brought me a gift."
Tara paused and looked back with a smirk. "Oh, darling," she said, her tone almost mocking, "I already gave it to you."
Then she walked off, leaving the girl frozen in the doorway, unsure what just happened.
* * * * * *
At home, Adam came in with Dawn, Ava, and Daphne trailing behind. He laid Dawn carefully on the couch before heading to the dining table. The plates were still there, untouched since the morning. He picked the one Dawn ate from as described to him and stepped aside, calling someone in a low voice before walking out, saying it was business. But only Dawn knew what it really was.
When he came back, his face looked different; hard, furious. He stormed inside holding a folded report.
"Why would you do this, Ava?!" His voice cracked. "How could you?"
Ava blinked, scared. "What are you talking about?"
He slammed the paper down. "The food was poisoned, Ava. The report says it."
Ava just stared at him, mouth open. "No, no, that's not possible. I... I made the food myself!"
"Then explain it!" Adam shouted, anger and disbelief mixing in his voice. "Why was poison found in your cooking?"
"I swear, Adam, I didn't do anything!" Tears rolled down her cheeks. "Why would you think I'd hurt Dawn or her baby?"
"You cooked it. You served it. Then I collapsed," Dawn said weakly, her voice trembling.
"Yes, but I didn't... I swear ...." Ava broke down mid-sentence, her body shaking.
"I can't believe you'd do something like this," Adam said, his tone sharp but broken inside.
Ava looked at him, stunned. He had never looked at her like that before. "You really think I did it?" she whispered. "Adam… you know what the doctors said." Her voice cracked. "I can't even have kids. Why would I hurt someone carrying what I can never have?"
The room went silent. No one said a word. Her voice just hung there in the air like something that couldn't be taken back.