Adam took Dawn home, and when they arrived, Dawn invited him inside. They walked in and found Jason and Leslie hunched over a chessboard. Dawn blinked in surprise.
"Are you guys okay?" she asked.
"We aren't fighting, are we?" Leslie shot back.
"We're not friends, we're just bored," Jason added.
Dawn and Adam chuckled. Jason and Leslie greeted Adam warmly, even inviting him to join the game. Adam sat with them while Leslie slipped to Dawn's side.
"I can see you're very happy. I'm happy for you too," Leslie whispered with a smile.
"Thank you," Dawn said softly.
"So… when are you getting married?" Leslie teased.
"I knew this would lead to nosiness. Stay out of my business," Dawn warned, though her lips curved faintly.
"Fine, fine. Just write it in your diary then," Leslie teased again.
"You read my diary?" Dawn asked, wide-eyed.
"I couldn't help it," Leslie smirked, and Dawn rolled her eyes, ignoring her.
Soon Adam stood up to leave, and after goodbyes, Jason and Leslie started chanting, "Adam and Dawn, sitting on a tree…" They burst into laughter as Dawn bolted upstairs to her room.
"Who won?" Leslie asked.
"Me. No one beats the champ," Jason bragged.
But Leslie's eyes scanned the board. "Please. You let Adam beat you. You're full of talk." She walked away with Jason trailing her.
* * * * * *
Adam arrived home to find Daphne in the middle of a conference call. He tried sneaking upstairs, but she called after him.
"I didn't want to bother you," he said.
"I know, but it's fine. How are you doing?" Daphne asked warmly.
"I'm fine, Mom."
"Can you handle tomorrow?" Her tone carried worry.
"Even if I can't, it will still come. I'll try," Adam said, kissing her forehead before heading to his room. Daphne sighed, whispering to herself, He'll be okay.
* * * * * *
The next morning, Dawn was in the kitchen cooking pasta. She packed food flasks for her siblings, warning them as always before sending them off. Afterward, she grabbed her bag in a rush and hurried to the pizzeria.
But when she pushed the door open, a stranger stood at the counter.
"Excuse me, where's Alex?" Dawn asked.
"I don't know her," the girl replied.
Dawn's heart sank. She was leaving when she bumped into an old friend—someone who knew both her and Alex.
"She quit," he said simply.
Dawn gasped. Quit? Why? She tried calling Alex's number, but it went straight to voicemail. Panic and worry gripped her as she walked out, her mind racing. Where had Alex gone? Was she okay?
* * * * * *
At the Manchesters', Daphne was already dressed for work.
"Where's Adam?" Dawn asked after hugging her.
"Today's his and Ava's anniversary. He doesn't do anything on this day," Daphne explained softly.
Dawn's heart clenched. Yesterday he'd been so happy, and now… sadness weighed on him. She promised Daphne she'd try something, and Daphne smiled gratefully before hurrying out.
Dawn went upstairs, knocked on Adam's door, and entered quietly.
"Bad day?" she asked.
"It would've been a good day if Ava was here," Adam said, his voice heavy with grief. Dawn's heart stung—sympathy mixed with jealousy.
"You don't plan on going anywhere?"
"No."
"What if we met at the hospital?"
He glanced at her, surprised. "For what?"
"It's a surprise. Meet me at noon," she said with a small smile before leaving.
Adam just sat there, puzzled.
* * * * * *
When Dawn got home, her worry for Alex still gnawed at her. She focused on preparing Adam's surprise—until Tara suddenly appeared.
"Do you not knock anymore?" Dawn snapped.
"What are you two up to?" Tara asked with a sly smirk.
"What do you mean?"
"Since you'll just pretend, I'll say it straight—I know you found out the truth. I saw you at the pizzeria looking for Alex."
"Did you have anything to do with her quitting?" Dawn demanded.
"No. But I bet she's staying away from you. How could you? You couldn't even trust your friend."
"Tara, why are you doing this? I thought it was just Peige. I didn't know you were in on it."
"You want to know why?" Tara's smile dropped. "Because you ruined my life. You stole my childhood."
"Me? Don't blame me for your mother's sins. She destroyed your life, not me."
"She wasn't the one who told Dad the truth," Tara hissed.
"You would've rather lived a lie?!" Dawn shot back.
"If it meant keeping my family, yes!" Tara's voice cracked with pain.
"I was a child, Tara! I didn't know it would cause all that."
"Don't act innocent. Because of you, I suffer every day. And now—I'll make sure you suffer too. I'll take Adam from you. Just watch."
Dawn's jaw tightened. "I'm not afraid of you. I'll fight you like I fought your mother."
Tara only smirked, her eyes flicking to Dawn's neatly packed surprise.
"Ohhh… planning something for him, aren't you?"
"Get. Out." Dawn pointed at the door.
Tara raised her hands in mock surrender, but in a flash, she snatched Dawn's keys and darted out, locking the door behind her.
"Tara! Open the door! Tara!" Dawn pounded against it, her voice rising.
She searched desperately for another way out, but there was none. Her chest tightened with dread as she sank onto a chair, tears streaming. Adam's waiting… he'll think I abandoned him.
Then—click.
The door creaked open. Dawn looked up, breath hitching. Her eyes widened in shock at who stood there.