Ava sat on the bench just outside the bustling streets of New York, a book resting lightly in her hands. The afternoon sun warmed her skin, but her focus shattered when a familiar shadow fell across the page. Adam.
He grinned mischievously. Of course he's here to bother me, she thought.
"What did I ever do to deserve this constant torment?" Ava asked, laughing as she closed her book.
"I came with something important," Adam said, his tone mock-serious. "To ask for your hand in marriage."
Ava's brows arched, amusement dancing in her eyes. "I don't do broke guys," she teased.
Adam smirked. "Do you even know who I am? Adam Manchester, CEO—"
"Yes, yes. I've heard that speech more times than I can count."
He leaned closer. "So, what do you say?"
"Still no," Ava said, laughing harder.
Adam clutched his chest dramatically and collapsed onto the bench as if his heart had been shattered. Ava nudged him, rolling her eyes. "Come on, don't embarrass me. My friends are already jealous that you're my friend."
"Your friends know I'm hot," Adam replied with a playful smirk.
"Quit flattering yourself," she shot back, and they both burst into laughter that echoed against the city sounds.
Ava's eyes flew open as she jolted awake in her bed, her cheeks damp with tears. The memory lingered so vividly, yet it felt like a cruel reminder of all she had lost. Sobs broke free as she pressed her face into her hands. She had once believed she and Adam were unshakable—that forever belonged to them.
But forever had splintered.
There was a third presence now, an intruder in the love she once thought was untouchable. Dawn. And worst of all, Adam's eyes no longer carried the same light for her. His care, his tenderness, his affection… all of it was directed toward Dawn.
Ava's hands curled into fists. She would not, could not, accept it. She wanted her husband back. And she would stop at nothing to reclaim him.
Dawn knocked several times on Adam's door, but he didn't respond. Her chest tightened. She dragged herself downstairs, finding Daphne in tears, and slumped beside her, confused. Why had Adam said those words? She had changed her mind about asking for a divorce—so why was he pushing her away?
Daphne wrapped an arm around her, whispering comfort, when footsteps echoed from the stairs. Adam.
Dawn wiped her tears and rushed toward him.
"What did I do wrong? I didn't ask for a divorce," she pleaded.
Adam's gaze stayed cold, not meeting hers.
"You haven't asked yet," he said flatly. "But you will, won't you?"
Her heart sank. Then she remembered her conversation with Alex and the twins. He must have overheard.
"Ava is my wife," Adam continued, his voice edged with steel. "And so are you. I'm going to treat you both equally. There's no need for one of you to fight for me while the other cuts herself off."
He turned to leave, but Dawn's voice stopped him.
"Fine then," she said, her tone firm, her eyes fierce. "I'll come to my husband's house."
Adam froze, glancing back at her.
"I never stopped you. You understood the situation before, when Ava didn't know the truth. That's why you kept your distance."
Her lips trembled, but she lifted her chin. "My sacrifice wasn't for Ava's sake. It was for yours. I didn't want to see you crushed beneath all of this. I thought it was better to step back than to see you torn apart."
Adam's shoulders softened, his eyes finally meeting hers. "I'll be okay, Dawn. I need you beside me. Don't carry this weight alone."
Relief washed over her, and she nodded. Their anger melted into quiet reconciliation as they left the hall together. Upstairs, unseen, Ava stood watching, jealousy burning in her chest like fire.
* * * * * *
Dawn finally moved into the Manchester house. For a while, everything looked like a family trying to mend itself. Ava, now strong enough to walk again, apologized for her outbursts. She promised Adam, and even Dawn that she would turn a new leaf.
One morning, Ava brought Adam yam porridge just as he adjusted his tie for work. He smiled warmly. "Thank you," he said, tasting it.
Dawn followed with a tray of fruit and water.
"You two should join me," Adam suggested with a grin.
"Maybe later," Ava said smoothly.
"Same here," Dawn added.
Adam nodded, finishing his food before kissing both women goodbye. Dawn and Ava gathered the plates in silence.
Later, when Dawn prepared dinner, she proudly placed it before Adam—only for him to spit it out.
"You don't like my cooking?" she asked, her heart sinking.
"No, I do," Adam said quickly, forcing a smile. "It's just… hot."
But Dawn tasted it herself and spat it out. "It's salty. I swear I didn't add this much salt!"
Adam waved it off, saying he wasn't hungry. Just then, Ava swept in with her own dish, smiling sweetly. Adam tasted it and ate without complaint.
Dawn's chest ached. She forced a smile and excused herself, though her mind churned. Was it Ava who tampered with her food? Or… could it have been her mischievous siblings? She said nothing, swallowing her doubts.
That night, Adam knocked softly on her door.
"Hey," he said gently.
"Sorry… that was embarrassing," Dawn whispered.
"What was embarrassing?" His brows furrowed. "It was just a mistake, Dawn. Don't beat yourself up."
Her lips curved into a shaky smile. "I'm lucky to have you." Then, teasing, she added, "But you're the lucky one, really."
Adam grinned. "True. Handsome, rich, and caring? What more could you want?"
"Keep flattering yourself," she said with a laugh, and for a moment the heaviness lifted.
Meanwhile, Ava sat with Jason and Leslie, her laughter filling the sitting room as Daphne arrived.
"Oh—I hope I'm not interrupting," Daphne said with a smile.
"Not at all," Jason replied, though Leslie teased, "Not like Jason. He ruins everything."
Everyone laughed, and Ava leaned forward, her voice softening. "You two are lucky. You have each other. I wish I had siblings."
Jason and Leslie exchanged a glance before patting her shoulder. "You've got us now," Leslie said warmly.
Ava smiled sweetly. "Where are Adam and Dawn?"
"She stole Adam from me," Ava said suddenly. The room fell silent—until she chuckled. "Kidding." Everyone laughed with her, though Daphne's eyes narrowed, unsettled.
Later, Ava suggested a day out, saying she wanted to make up for lost time. Jason and Leslie happily agreed, taking her to the pizzeria, the boutique, and all the places they once shared with Dawn. Ava blended into their bond with ease, her charm winning them over.
That night, Dawn walked in to find them still awake, talking and laughing.
"It's late. You should be in bed," she said firmly.
"Come on, Dawn. They're not kids anymore," Ava countered, her tone laced with amusement.
"Exactly," Leslie teased. "She treats us like we're ten."
Dawn's temper flared. "Enough. Off to bed—now."
The twins grumbled but obeyed, kissing Ava goodnight before heading upstairs.
"I'm sorry," Ava said, feigning guilt. "I didn't realize it was this late."
"Yeah, but they knew," Dawn replied curtly. "Goodnight, Ava." She went upstairs, her back stiff.
Ava sat back on the couch, a satisfied grin creeping across her lips. The game had only just begun.