Ava chuckled softly and asked Adam to repeat what he had said, but he didn't falter. He told her everything—about his struggles, about Dawn, and about how she had helped him survive.
"Helped you? You cheated on me," Ava whispered, her voice trembling with sobs, her eyes clouded with disappointment.
"If you had woken up, if not for Dawn, I wouldn't even be here. You wouldn't be seeing me right now," Adam replied, firm but broken.
Ava's anger flared. She tried to rise from her wheelchair, but her legs betrayed her and she fell. Adam rushed to her side, but she shoved him away. "Don't touch me."
Her tearful eyes darted to Dawn. "And you… what do you want? Money? Fame? I can give you anything—just name it."
"I'm not with Adam because of money," Dawn said softly but with conviction. "I married him because I love him."
"Oh, really? What about the deal?" Ava's voice cut like glass, leaving the room in stunned silence.
"You think I didn't know? I know everything that happened."
Adam's jaw clenched. "Because I told you," he said, his voice low but steady. "I told you everything that happened in my life because I believed, even in that coma, you were listening. I didn't betray you, Ava. I lived."
"You thought I would die?" Ava sobbed, shaking her head.
"Do you know how long it took me to know Dawn, to marry her? I met her nine months ago, Ava. Nine months—after you had already been asleep for a year and nine months. Do the math." Adam's words hung heavy in the air before he turned and walked out, leaving her trembling.
Ava's tears spilled freely as she turned to her mother. "Mom… how could you? I'm your daughter, but you were too desperate for another."
"She didn't do it for herself," Dawn said gently. "She did it for her son. You would understand if you had a child."
"Oh? And you do?" Ava shot back.
"Yes. Children." Dawn's voice quivered. "They're the reason I accepted the deal at first. But it's not about money anymore. I'm sorry for everything, Daphne." With that, she left to look for Adam.
Daphne tried to comfort Ava, but her daughter wheeled herself away, leaving Daphne in tears.
Dawn knocked softly on Adam's door before stepping inside. She sat beside him, her face shadowed with guilt.
"I feel so bad, Adam. If I hadn't accepted the deal, none of this would've happened."
"You don't need to feel guilty. You didn't do anything wrong," Adam assured her.
"I know. But being with you has been… the second best thing that's ever happened to me," Dawn teased faintly.
"Excuse me?" Adam managed a small smile.
"Yes," she chuckled.
"And the first best thing?" he pressed.
"I won't tell you—you'll get too proud. Besides, I'm not even your first best thing."
Adam's gaze softened, drifting to the past. "I know… but Ava—she was something else. So special, you couldn't resist her." His voice lingered in admiration until Dawn cleared her throat.
"Sorry. Just… walking through memory lane."
"No need to apologize," Dawn said, forcing a smile. "She's still your wife." She stood. "I'll get going."
"Let me drive you," Adam offered.
"No. Ava needs you more right now."
"You're right. Thank you… for understanding."
Daphne hugged Dawn goodbye, whispering apologies, while Adam returned to console his mother. But Ava burst in with fiery eyes.
"I want a divorce."
The words stunned both Adam and Daphne.
"Ava, calm down. We can talk—" Daphne began.
"There's nothing to talk about!"
"Fine," Adam said coldly. "Bring the divorce papers. I'll sign them."
Ava froze, her heart shattering. She had expected him to beg—not surrender.
"Adam, are you out of your mind?!" Daphne gasped.
"I want her to be happy," Adam said quietly. "And if divorcing me makes her happy, I'll give her that." Then he left for Dawn's apartment.
Ava collapsed, weeping like a child in her mother's arms.
* * * * * *
At Dawn's apartment, she told Alex and the twins everything.
"I feel bad for everyone—it's no one's fault," Alex said.
"What's your plan?" Leslie asked.
"I was going to tell him to divorce me, but… he wasn't in the right mood."
"Divorce?!" Jason exclaimed. "You can't make decisions when you're uncertain. You taught us that!"
"Adam told Ava about our marriage. She's been through enough already. This is just more pain."
"And what about you? About Adam? You're going to throw it all away?" Alex pushed.
"I don't have a choice."
"You do. You're just making the wrong one," Leslie said firmly.
Jason shook his head and went upstairs, Leslie patting Dawn's shoulder as he followed. Dawn sat in silence with Alex, unaware that Adam had overheard everything from outside. His heart heavy, he walked away angrily.
* * * * * *
The next morning, Dawn made breakfast and visited the Manchesters. She comforted Daphne, who was still shaken.
"Where's Ava?" Dawn asked.
"She's asleep."
"And Adam?"
Before Daphne could answer, Adam came down in his suit. He kissed his mother goodbye and walked out, ignoring Dawn completely. Her heart sank.
"Did something happen after I left?" she asked.
"Ava asked for a divorce," Daphne sighed.
"What? Why?" Dawn asked in disbelief.
"Dawn… I think you should move in. Adam is your husband now."
"Not now, Daphne."
"This is the perfect time. He needs you."
Before Dawn could reply, Ava walked down the stairs—on her own two feet.
"You've taken my husband. Now you want my mother too?" Ava sneered.
"What are you talking about?" Dawn asked, stunned.
"I always make breakfast for Mom. And now you've taken that too?"
"I didn't know. I wasn't competing. I just wanted to help."
"As what?" Ava spat. "Ever since you came here, you've done nothing but take. But you'll always be a second choice." She stormed into the kitchen, leaving Dawn shaken.
Daphne comforted her, but a few hours later Adam returned. He greeted his mother and started upstairs when Dawn stopped him.
"What is it? Why are you angry at me? What did I do?"
He turned, his face hard. "You want a divorce? Fine. I'll give you that too."
The words cut through her like ice as he disappeared upstairs, leaving Dawn's world crashing down.