Ava let her head sink into the couch cushions, the quiet of the house wrapping around her like a heavy blanket.
For a heartbeat, everything felt normal—until the memories came.
First a flicker: soft candlelight, warm and golden.
Then the sharp sparkle of a diamond ring catching the light as Adam slipped it on her finger.
She blinked hard. The images overlapped, out of order.
A second presence hovered at the edges of her mind—
a shadowy figure just beyond the candle glow, a laugh she almost recognized.
Who… was there?
Her pulse quickened. The warmth of the memory was real, yet something about it felt wrong—
as if the room held more than just her and Adam that night.
The flashes came faster: the scent of vanilla candles, a door creaking, a soft voice she couldn't place.
Ava pressed her palms to her temples.
Pieces of a puzzle she didn't remember starting slid into place,
and with each fragment a quiet dread stirred.
* * * * * *
Meanwhile, in the hospital, Daphne paced the hallway, her nerves stretched thin.
A doctor finally approached.
"What happened to him? Is he going to be all right?" she asked, voice tight.
"He's stable," the doctor said. "He fainted from extreme stress. If this continues, it could cause more damage. He needs to avoid anything stressful." With that, the doctor moved on.
Daphne sank onto the bench, tears burning her eyes.
This is my fault, she thought bitterly.
I gave up hope on Ava waking up… and I brought Dawn into all of this.
Moments later, Dawn rushed in, panic flashing across her face.
"Where is he? Is he okay?"
"Yes," Daphne said quickly, explaining what the doctor had told her.
Guilt swept over Dawn. "Don't worry—I'm going to fix this."
She hurried into Adam's room.
"Hey, Adam. How are you feeling?" Dawn asked, worry etched across her face.
"I'm fine. You don't have to worry about me," Adam replied with a reassuring smile.
"I don't want to see you like this. You deserve happiness."
"I am happy," he said softly. "Having you and Ava by my side makes me happy."
Dawn nodded and forced a small smile, though the mention of Ava stung.
"I want to free you from this mess," she murmured.
"How?" Adam asked, puzzled.
"You need to rest. We'll talk later," she said, resting her head gently on his chest.
* * * * * *
Back at the Manchester house, Ava grew restless when no one answered her calls.
She phoned her doctor and learned Adam had been taken to the hospital.
Fear and guilt knotted in her stomach. She wheeled herself outside and hailed a taxi.
* * * * * *
At Dawn's home, Alex filled Leslie and Jason in.
Jason tried to lighten the mood. "I can barely handle Leslie as a sister—imagine two wives!"
"I can't with you," Leslie shot back.
"Women," Jason teased—until Alex and Leslie gave him a look that made him quickly apologize.
They shared a brief laugh before heading to the hospital to support Dawn.
* * * * * *
When Ava arrived at the hospital, she spotted Daphne immediately and wheeled over.
"Mom, where's Adam? Why weren't you taking my calls?"
"I—I didn't see them," Daphne stammered, heart pounding.
"I called the doctor. He said Adam is here. Where is he?" Ava pressed.
Daphne's mind went blank. Before she could find the words, Adam's voice drifted down the hall.
Ava turned and wheeled toward it. Daphne tried to stop her, but it was too late.
Ava opened the door and froze.
Adam and Dawn were talking quietly, Dawn's head resting on his chest.
The sight shattered her.
She wheeled back in silence, her face pale, and headed for the exit.
Daphne hurried after her.
Moments later, Alex, Leslie, and Jason arrived, asking for Adam's room.
Inside, they found Adam sitting up.
"You two should keep your lovey-dovey moments to a minimum around me," Leslie teased.
"Then get your own place," Dawn shot back, earning a round of laughter.
"Adam, please get well soon. You know I prefer you as my twin over Leslie," Jason joked.
"Don't flatter yourself. I'm not your twin," Leslie said.
"Yes, you are," Dawn chimed in.
"Where's the proof?"
"I've got the birth certificates—and you two look alike," Dawn teased as the doctor entered, announcing that Adam could be discharged.
"Yay, boss is going home," Alex cheered. Adam smiled faintly while Dawn grinned.
* * * * * *
Daphne returned home to find Ava's bedroom door locked.
"Ava, please open up," she pleaded.
Inside, Ava was packing. Her mind was made up—she wanted a divorce.
Daphne's heart pounded as she heard the front door open.
Adam and Dawn had arrived.
"How are you, Adam? Are you sure you're okay?" Daphne asked, hugging him.
"Yes, I'm fine," he said.
Ava wheeled downstairs, her eyes blazing.
"Dawn, right?"
"Yes," Dawn answered, uneasy.
"I didn't see any cameras at the hospital," Ava said coldly.
"I don't understand," Dawn replied, confused.
"I didn't stutter. I saw you holding my husband, laughing with him—but no camera. Why is that?"
"Ava, look—"
"Don't lie to me, Adam. I know what's going on. First, I saw the necklace Mom gave me on Dawn's neck. I thought maybe she bought it herself, but I called your friend to ask about this so-called movie. Guess what? He had no idea what I was talking about. He hasn't even seen you since I went into the coma!"
"Look, I can explain—"
"You're cheating on me, Adam. And Mom, you're in on this too," Ava cried, tears streaming down her face.
Dawn stood frozen. She had planned to divorce Adam to end the chaos, but Ava had found out too soon.
"You were in a coma and I… I thought— I'm sorry, Ava. I did it for my son," Daphne said, but Ava cut her off with a yell.
"You'll understand when you have children," Daphne pleaded, but Ava was done.
"Look, Ava, I'm sorry for everything, but it's not Mom's fault or Adam's—" Dawn began.
"What are you still doing here?" Ava snapped. "I know you're after Adam's money. You'll get nothing. Get out. Now!"
"Ava!" Adam warned. "Don't speak to her like that."
The sting of his defense cut deeper than any insult.
"Why are you defending her? What is she to you?"
"She is nothing but a—"
"She is my wife," Adam said firmly.
Ava's eyes widened. The world tilted beneath her as the truth landed like a thunderclap.