Dawn walked into the hospital, her steps quiet but steady as she made her way to Ava's room. Inside, Daphne and Adam sat by Ava's bedside. Dawn greeted them warmly.
"How are you, Dawn?" Daphne asked with a gentle smile.
"I'm good, thank you," Dawn replied, returning the smile.
"Did you manage to solve the problem at school?" Daphne asked.
"You remember?" Dawn blinked in surprise.
"Of course. Why wouldn't I?" Daphne chuckled.
Relief softened Dawn's face. "Yes, it's all resolved now. I just came to check up on Ava, like I promised."
Daphne glanced at Adam, who hadn't lifted his eyes from Ava. He seemed locked in another world. With a knowing sigh, Daphne stood.
"I need to take this call. I'll be back in a minute," she said, slipping out and leaving them alone.
"Hey, Adam," Dawn started hesitantly.
"Hi," he replied, his voice flat, his gaze still on Ava.
She swallowed. "I know you're angry. You have every right to be. I just… I'm sorry. I went too far." Her voice cracked with sincerity.
"Ava's sleeping," Adam said quietly. "I don't want to disturb her."
The words hit Dawn like a dagger. She forced back tears, turned, and made her way toward the door—only to bump into someone. Tara.
Dawn froze, her heart racing. Tara looked nervous.
"What are you doing here?" Dawn whispered.
"I'll explain later. I promise."
Dawn hesitated, then gave her a curt nod. With one last glance at Adam, she walked away. Tara exhaled, relieved, then turned toward Adam with a soft smile, stepping closer to offer sympathy.
* * * * * *
Meanwhile, at Alex's workplace, a familiar face appeared.
"Good day, ma'am. How can—" Alex's words faltered as she recognized her. "Peige?"
"I need to speak with you," Peige said urgently.
"I can't talk right now—I'm working," Alex replied cautiously, noticing how Peige kept glancing over her shoulder.
"Are you okay?" Alex asked.
"I just… I need your help," Peige pleaded, desperation in her voice.
* * * * * *
Across the street, Dawn picked up her repaired phone from a shop. As she walked home, a text pinged onto her screen. It was from Tara: Pick up pizza and let's talk.
Dawn's stomach dropped. Rage simmered. This has to be about Alex. Determined to get answers, she turned toward the pizzeria.
When she pushed the door open, her breath caught. Alex was there—sitting with Peige. Their eyes met, Alex's face twisting with panic. She rushed toward Dawn to explain, but Dawn shoved her aside, ordered her pizza coldly, and stormed out.
Alex stood frozen, heartbroken. When she turned back, Peige was gone. Realization struck—she'd been set up. Peige had been watching the door all along.
It was all a trap.
* * * * * *
Back at her apartment, Dawn slammed the door shut. Rage and betrayal flooded her chest. She collapsed onto the couch, sobbing into her hands. She thought it was over. She thought life would finally return to normal. She had been wrong.
A few minutes later, Tara let herself in and found Dawn asleep on the couch. She tapped her gently. Dawn stirred, forcing a brittle smile.
"Are you okay?" Tara asked.
"I'm fine," Dawn lied.
Tara opened the pizza box, stuffing her mouth. "Come on, grab a slice."
"I'm not hungry," Dawn muttered. "Tell me why you were at the hospital."
Tara hesitated, then spoke quickly. "When you told me Adam rejected you, I couldn't stand to see you like that. So… I took it upon myself to get close to him, to tell him about you. I thought maybe he'd accept you."
Dawn shook her head, voice breaking. "Thank you, but I don't need Adam's pity."
"It's not pity. It's a chance for him to know you better—"
"That's bullshit, Tara!" Dawn snapped, tears spilling. "I'm tired of people messing with my life. If he doesn't want me, then so be it!"
She buried her face in her hands, then whispered, "I'm sorry. I don't know what's wrong with me."
"I understand," Tara said softly. Rising, she touched Dawn's shoulder. "Take care of yourself." Then she slipped out.
* * * * * *
At the Manchester home, Daphne cornered Adam in the sitting room.
"What was Tara doing at the hospital?" she pressed.
"I don't care," Adam muttered. "She said Dawn sent her to convince me. Dawn is obsessed, Mom. She's trying to take me away from Ava."
"What? That's not true," Daphne argued. "Dawn isn't obsessed—she's a good girl."
"Why are you on her side? What is she to you?" Adam demanded.
"She's my daughter," Daphne said firmly.
Adam scoffed. "How convincing. You're in on this too, aren't you? Well, I want nothing to do with anyone." He stood to leave, but Daphne's sharp voice stopped him.
"Enough, Adam! Can't you see? Ava might not wake up." The words slipped out before she could stop them.
Adam froze, his face pale with betrayal. Tears welled in his eyes. "Is that what you think? That I should just give up on her?"
"I didn't mean—" Daphne began, horrified.
"You didn't mean replacing Ava with Dawn too, right?" Adam choked out, then stormed upstairs.
Daphne collapsed onto the couch, sobbing. She had only wanted to help him heal, not wound him further.
* * * * * *
Back at Dawn's apartment, her siblings had just returned from school when the doorbell rang.
"Who's there?" Dawn asked.
"It's Alex. Please, Dawn, listen to me—I can explain."
Fury flared in Dawn's chest. She marched to the door. "You've got some nerve. Get out of my house."
Alex begged, but Dawn snatched her phone, ready to call the police. Leslie and Jason rushed to stop her.
"At least hear her out," Jason pleaded.
"She'll just lie again," Dawn fumed.
"If you won't, then let us. Please," Leslie urged.
Dawn rolled her eyes. "Two minutes. That's it." She stormed upstairs with Amy.
Leslie opened the door, letting Alex in. They sat together. Alex hugged her tightly, her voice trembling. "I promise, I didn't do this."
"We believe you," Leslie said gently. "But you have to prove it to Dawn."
"That's why I'm here. At the pizzeria, Tara borrowed my phone. She said hers was dead and needed to call her mom. Right after that, Dawn showed up. Tara must have told her to check my phone."
Jason frowned. "But why? What does Tara want?"
"I don't know yet. But today, Peige came to see me. She kept looking over her shoulder, like she was waiting for someone. Then Dawn walked in. It has to be connected. I need to know—was it Tara who texted Dawn to buy pizza?"
Jason and Leslie exchanged looks. "That makes sense."
"We'll help you," Leslie promised.
Alex smiled faintly, hope returning. She left, but what none of them realized was that Tara had been lurking outside the door the whole time—listening, grinning, and planning her next move.