Dawn looked up—and saw Alex.
"Alex!" she gasped, rushing to hug her. "Where have you been? I've been calling you."
Alex gave a small smile. "I needed a break from the world. But I'm fine. You?"
"Tara locked me in. I'm setting up a surprise for Adam," Dawn explained, still catching her breath.
"Wow. I didn't know you two were that close," Alex said, surprised.
"Yeah… and I'm really sorry about everything. I was a total jerk."
"I know," Alex teased, and they both burst out laughing.
Alex helped Dawn set up the gift, and together they headed to the hospital.
* * * * * *
Inside Ava's room, they decorated with balloons, rose petals, and flickering candles.
Minutes later, Adam walked in. He froze, eyes wide, then broke into a soft smile and hugged Dawn. She started to leave, but he caught her hand.
"I want you and Ava to celebrate your anniversary alone," Dawn said.
"I want you here too," Adam replied.
Dawn smiled and sat beside him as he spoke to Ava, wishing her a happy anniversary.
Dawn's phone buzzed. A credit alert from Daphne—her pay. But the money no longer made her happy. She loved Adam now. She needed to tell Daphne everything.
"Are you okay?" Adam asked, noticing her sudden silence.
"Yes, I'm fine," she said quickly.
"Are you sure? You can talk to me," he pressed.
"I know. But it's nothing," she replied with a faint smile.
* * * * * *
Across town, Tara was smashing things, her fury echoing through the house.
"What is wrong with you? I bought those things with money!" Peige snapped, stepping in.
"I did everything to separate Adam and Dawn—ruin her life—and nothing works. She's still happy," Tara ranted.
"Why are you doing this? What did she ever do to you?" Peige asked, confused.
"She took everything from me. She stole my childhood," Tara hissed.
"That's absurd," Peige shot back.
Tara's eyes flashed. "Are you on her side now?"
"No, never. I'm just saying—"
"I don't need your help. I have a plan." A slow, smug smile spread across Tara's face.
* * * * * *
Later, Dawn and Adam returned home to find Daphne sorting paperwork in the sitting room.
"Need help?" Dawn asked.
"What I need is a secretary," Daphne said with a tired sigh.
"I have someone in mind," Dawn replied.
"You do? Tell me."
"Alex—my best friend. She'd be perfect."
Daphne's eyes lit up. "Consider her hired."
Dawn grinned. "She'll be thrilled. And… I need a job too. I can't keep accepting money from you. It's not a deal anymore."
Daphne smiled softly. "Don't worry. I still want to pay you and have you here."
Dawn was about to respond when a knock interrupted them.
"Come in," Daphne called.
Tara walked in, mischief written all over her face.
"What are you doing here?" Dawn snapped, immediately telling Daphne about the earlier incident.
"Leave, now," Daphne ordered.
"I'm not going anywhere until I see Adam," Tara said coolly.
Their voices rose, drawing Adam downstairs.
"I came to tell you something your mom and girlfriend are hiding from you," Tara said, eyes gleaming.
Adam's jaw tightened. "I don't want to hear it. Leave."
But Tara only stepped closer. "Dawn doesn't love you. It's a deal. Your mom is paying her—not just to babysit you, but to pretend she loves you."
"That's a lie. Get out, Tara!" Dawn shot back.
Tara smiled and finally turned to leave. "Goodbye, Dawn."
Adam froze halfway up the stairs, eyes flicking between his mother and Dawn. "Is it true?"
"No, it's not!" Dawn said quickly.
"Mom… are you paying her?" Adam asked, his voice sharp.
"I… Adam, listen—" Daphne stammered.
"So it's true." His face hardened.
"Adam, that was before—" Dawn began, but he cut her off.
"Don't come near me. After everything I've been through… I trusted you, Dawn. I gave you my heart, and this—" His voice broke, tears forming.
Daphne was sobbing. Dawn reached for him, but he turned and walked to his room without another word.
"I didn't mean for it to happen like this," Daphne whispered, tears streaming.
Dawn hugged her tightly. "I'll fix it."
* * * * * *
She stormed out into the night, heart pounding, fury and sorrow twisting together.
Her siblings tried to console her when she arrived home, but she could barely hear them.
"How did Tara know?" Leslie asked.
"I told her. I thought she was my friend," Dawn said bitterly.
"It hurts, knowing it started as a deal," Jason admitted, "but what you and Adam have now is real."
"I should have told him," Dawn murmured.
"This isn't your fault," Leslie said firmly, pulling her into a hug.
* * * * * *
Meanwhile, Tara celebrated her "victory" at a club.
Alex spotted her, marched straight up, and slapped her.
"That's for lying about me," Alex said coldly—and slapped her again. "That's for hurting my friend." Another sharp slap. "And that's for ruining a relationship."
Without another word, Alex turned and left Tara stunned and seething.
* * * * * *
The next morning, Dawn packed breakfast as usual and sent her siblings off to school. Dressed neatly, she headed to the Manchesters'.
"Morning," Daphne greeted warmly. "Adam hasn't come out yet."
Dawn climbed the stairs and knocked on Adam's door. No answer. She pushed it open—empty.
Heart racing, she hurried back to Daphne.
"He's not there," Dawn said, panic rising.
They rushed to the hospital. But Adam was nowhere to be found.
A chill swept through Dawn. A thousand dark thoughts flooded her mind.
Where could he be?