Ava arrived at the hospital first because the call was pulled through to her before anyone else. She rushed to the reception and asked about Adam, but the nurses didn't let her in. They said he was in a serious condition and the doctors were still with him, trying their best to save his life. She stood there helpless, pacing back and forth. A few minutes later, Dawn arrived and saw Ava pacing the hallway, her eyes red and wet. She ran to her immediately.
"They won't let me in. They said he's in a serious condition," Ava said, her voice trembling.
Dawn froze. The words hit her like a stone. Her eyes watered before she could even say a word. Ava wanted to comfort her, to say it'll be fine, but the pain in her chest stopped her. How could she comfort the same woman who accused her of poisoning food and making Adam look at her like a monster? She turned away and sat on one of the benches, trying not to cry harder.
Soon, Daphne arrived and found both women in that broken state. She couldn't ask either of them anything—Dawn's face was soaked in tears, and Ava's eyes were empty. So she just sat quietly, waiting, hoping for good news.
* * * * * *
Leslie kept calling Dawn but she wasn't picking up. Jason and Amy came downstairs to see her pacing in worry.
"What happened? She didn't forgive you?" Jason asked.
"There's a bigger problem," Leslie said, her tone flat but heavy.
Amy's eyes widened. "What happened? Is Mom okay?"
"Yes, Amy, she's fine. But I'm not sure Adam is."
Jason frowned. "What do you mean?"
"I heard someone over the phone. Adam's name was mentioned, and then she just dashed out without saying anything." Leslie explained, sitting down with shaky hands.
Before anyone could reply, Alex walked in carrying shopping bags. "Guess what's inside! Remember, I'm your favorite—" she stopped when she saw their faces. "What's going on? Why are you all staring like someone just died?"
"I think Adam is in danger," Leslie said.
"Danger? Why would you say that? Where's Dawn?" Alex asked, already reaching for her phone to call. No answer.
Jason tried to calm everyone. "Let's just wait a bit. I'm sure she'll call back soon."
But no one really believed that.
* * * * * *
Back at the hospital, Ava couldn't sit still. She kept asking nurses for updates but got the same response each time. Her heart was pounding, her thoughts messy. Daphne tried to comfort her, but Ava barely heard her. Then Dawn walked up to her slowly.
Ava turned away, but Dawn caught her arm. "Ava, I'm sorry. I hurt you so much, and I hope you find it in your heart to forgive me one day," Dawn said softly.
Ava didn't say a word.
"Adam went looking for you. That's when he had the accident," Dawn continued. "He didn't completely stop trusting you… he cares."
Ava sighed. "Can we not do this right now? My husband is in there fighting for his life."
"We need each other, Ava. We can't let him wake up and see us still fighting."
Ava gave a short, bitter laugh. "Right. Rules of the perfect wife, huh?"
Her voice cracked. "Do you even realize what you did? You accused me of poisoning you, of killing your unborn child."
"I didn't know… we were together, you cooked, I thought ...."
"You thought," Ava snapped. "And because of your thoughts, Adam hates me!"
"He doesn't hate you, he was angry ..."
"Angry at me for something I didn't do!" Ava shouted. "Ever since you came into his life, his attention shifted from me to you. I wish you'd just go away forever… or better yet, that Adam would forget you forever."
She walked out before Dawn could speak. But even as she left, a small part of her wanted to turn back.
* * * * * *
The next morning, Dawn came to the hospital with Daphne, Alex, Leslie, Jason, and Amy. The doctor allowed only one person inside, so Dawn went in. Adam lay there, pale and still, tubes running across his body. Her heart broke.
"Adam… you'll be okay, I know you will," she whispered through tears. "Ava was right. I shouldn't have interfered in your life. I'm sorry for everything. Please just wake up."
Outside, everyone waited anxiously. The air was tense until Ava walked in. The whole hallway went silent. Leslie ran to hug her, followed by Jason and Amy.
"I missed you guys," Ava said with a tired smile.
"We missed you more. Where have you been? Are you okay?" Leslie asked.
"I'm fine. How's school?" Ava asked gently.
"Same old," Jason said, smiling faintly.
Ava hugged Amy tighter and whispered, "Thank you for always standing up for me."
She turned to go see Adam, but Daphne stopped her. "Dawn's inside. The doctor said the room shouldn't be crowded."
Ava nodded and waited. When Dawn finally came out, she froze at the sight of Ava. Their eyes met—awkward, heavy, full of unspoken things. Dawn wanted to speak, to apologize again, but Ava just brushed past her and went inside.
She sat beside Adam, tears rolling freely now. "Wake up, please," she whispered. "Smile, laugh, talk to me again… even if it's not the same."
She wished time could rewind to when Dawn wasn't in their lives, when Adam still loved her fully. But those days were gone. She kissed his forehead softly, stood up, hugged everyone outside, and left quietly.
* * * * * *
Days passed in a haze. Dawn barely slept, refusing to leave Adam's side. The steady beeping of the machines had become her lullaby, the smell of antiseptic her shadow.
Ava, on the other hand, was everywhere—always checking in, always hovering. She'd bring flowers, flash a tight smile, ask too many questions.
Then one night, the machine beside him started beeping fast. Dawn panicked and called the doctors. They rushed in, checked his vitals and then, Adam's eyes fluttered open.
He was awake.
Dawn gasped, covering her mouth, tears spilling down again. She called Daphne, who ran in immediately.
"Son! You're awake. Oh my God, thank you!" Daphne said laughing through tears.
"Adam, we missed you," Dawn added softly.
But Adam just stared at her, confused, like she was a stranger.
"Where's Ava?" he asked weakly.
Dawn froze. "She's… she's on her way. Adam, are you okay?"
He blinked at her. "Who are you?"
Dawn stared at him, her heart sinking to the floor. He wasn't joking. He didn't remember her at all.
It seems Adam had lost his memory.