They arrived at the hospital in panic, their hearts pounding as they ran through the sterile white corridors in search of Adam. The air smelled of antiseptic and fear. Ava spotted the ward first and rushed inside.
Adam lay motionless on the bed, pale beneath the harsh hospital lights. A tube ran down his arm, and the rhythmic beeping of the monitor was the only sign of life.
"Adam!" Ava cried, collapsing beside him. Her trembling hands clutched his arm as tears poured freely down her cheeks.
Daphne entered moments later, her eyes widening at the sight of her son. A strangled sob escaped her throat as she pressed a shaking hand against her chest.
At the doorway stood Dawn—frozen, unable to move or breathe. Her vision blurred as a thousand thoughts raced through her head.
What if he doesn't wake up? What if I lose him? What will life be without him?
The questions clawed at her heart until everything went black. A loud thud broke through the tense silence.
"Dawn!" Daphne screamed, spinning around. Dawn was on the floor, unconscious.
Ava didn't move—her entire focus was on Adam. But Daphne rushed to Dawn's side and shouted for help. "Nurse! Somebody help, please!"
Two nurses came running with a stretcher. They checked Dawn's pulse, lifted her gently, and wheeled her to a separate ward for examination. Daphne stood in the hallway, her body shaking with exhaustion. The two people she loved most were lying in hospital beds. Her heart ached under the weight of fear and helplessness.
* * * * * *
Meanwhile, Amy and Leslie arrived at Ava's room, expecting to find her there—but it was empty. Just then, the phone on the table rang, its shrill tone echoing through the quiet room.
Leslie picked it up. "Hello?"
A gruff male voice replied, "The job's done."
"What job?" Leslie asked quickly, frowning. "Who are you?"
But the line went dead.
She stared at the phone, confused and uneasy. Amy's eyes were wide. "What did he say?"
Leslie swallowed hard. "He said… the job was done."
* * * * * *
Dawn sat up in bed, her head pounding. "I'm fine," she told the doctor with a faint smile, ignoring the concern in his eyes. "Really, I'm fine."
She slipped out of her ward and made her way to Adam's room, hope blooming faintly in her chest.
When she entered, Daphne was there, her face lighting up with relief. She rose immediately and hugged Dawn tightly.
"Are you okay, sweetheart?" Daphne asked, worry etched in every line of her face.
"I'm fine," Dawn said softly. "Just a little dizzy earlier."
"Good news?" Daphne asked, raising a hopeful brow.
Dawn smiled faintly. "I have to tell Adam first… but you can stay to listen."
She turned to Adam, her smile fading as she saw him lying there, still unconscious. Tears welled up again. She clasped his hand tightly.
"Adam, please… open your eyes," she whispered. "Tell us you're okay. I can't live without you. We can't live without you." Her voice broke into sobs as she pressed her forehead to his hand.
The door swung open, and Ava entered. Her expression shifted instantly from sorrow to fury at the sight of Dawn.
"Stay away from my husband!" Ava shouted, shoving Dawn aside. "Ever since you came into his life, it's been nothing but bad luck!"
"Stop it, Ava!" Daphne snapped, stepping between them. Her voice was sharp and commanding. "Didn't you hear what Adam said before? Dawn gave him a reason to live."
"Because I wasn't there!" Ava retorted. "But now that I am, he'll see no one but me."
"Did he tell you that?" Daphne challenged, her tone biting.
"He doesn't need to," Ava said stubbornly, folding her arms.
Dawn placed a gentle hand on Daphne's arm. "Please, don't worry. You should rest, okay?" she said quietly before walking out into the hallway, her tears finally falling freely.
A nurse passing by stopped. "Ma'am, are you alright?"
Dawn wiped her face quickly. "Yes, thank you," she murmured before the nurse walked away. She wasn't in the mood to fight or defend herself—she just wanted Adam to wake up.
Moments later, Alex rushed in, spotting Dawn sitting alone. She hurried to her and knelt down.
"What happened?!" Alex asked, alarmed.
"Adam had an accident," Dawn whispered, voice trembling. "But… he'll be okay. I know he will."
Alex pulled her close, letting Dawn rest her head on her chest. "Don't cry, darling. Boss will be fine. He's a fighter."
Just then, Ava appeared again, her anger flaring. "Why did you even come into his life?! This happened because of you!"
Dawn stayed silent, but Alex stood up immediately. Her eyes burned with fierce loyalty.
"Enough," Alex said, her voice calm but dangerous. "Nothing that's happened is her fault. She's Adam's wife—whether you like it or not. And nothing will change that."
Ava glared at her with fire in her eyes before turning on her heels and storming off.
Alex sat beside Dawn. "What really happened?" she asked gently.
Dawn sighed shakily. "He told me he'd join me soon, then he got a phone call and rushed out. I should've stopped him."
"Hey," Alex said, rubbing her back. "You couldn't have known."
Dawn nodded weakly. "I'm going to check on him again."
Inside Adam's ward, she sat beside him, holding his hand as the night deepened. Daphne came later and urged her to go home, but Dawn refused.
"Go home and rest, Mom. I'll stay here with my husband," she said softly.
Daphne froze, warmth flooding her eyes. "You called me Mom?" she whispered with a trembling smile.
"You are like my own," Dawn replied.
Daphne hugged her tightly before leaving, tears glistening in her eyes.
* * * * * *
The next morning, Adam stirred. His eyelids fluttered open to find Dawn asleep beside him, her hand still in his. A faint smile curved his lips.
When he tried to move, she woke up immediately. "Oh my God, Adam! You're awake!" she gasped.
He chuckled weakly. "Yeah… seems I am."
"Are you okay? Does anywhere hurt?" she asked, her eyes full of worry.
"I'm fine. But why didn't you go home to rest?"
"I couldn't leave you here," she said simply, smiling through her tears.
He laughed softly. "You're unbelievable."
"I have to tell you something," Dawn said suddenly, her expression turning serious.
"What is it? Did something happen?" Adam asked, alarmed.
"No, it's good news," she said, her smile returning.
Before she could continue, the door burst open. Ava rushed to Adam's side, throwing her arms around him.
"Don't kill me, Ava!" Adam said, laughing. "I didn't know you missed me that much."
"I'm just so happy you're awake," Ava said, still hugging him. "Are you okay? Do you feel pain anywhere?"
"Which question should I answer first?" Adam teased, earning a playful nudge from her.
Then he turned to Dawn. "You wanted to tell me something?"
Dawn hesitated. "It's… something I'd rather tell you alone."
"Dawn," Ava snapped, "I'd like to speak with my husband privately."
Adam sighed. "You can tell me later when we get home," he said to Ava.
"Oh, so I can't have time with you alone, but she spent the night with you?" Ava snapped, crossing her arms.
"You left, she stayed," Adam said calmly. "I didn't ask her to."
"I wanted to stay, but I couldn't—because of my condition. Are you really defending her now?" Ava demanded.
"I'm not defending—"
"It's fine," Dawn interrupted gently. "I'll go home and prepare something for you." She smiled faintly and turned to leave.
"You don't have to go if you don't want to," Adam said softly.
"I do," she whispered and walked out.
"Wow," Ava muttered bitterly. "I've missed a lot, haven't I?"
"Grow up, Ava," Adam said, giving her a weary look.
"I told you—you love her more than me."
"Is there proof?" he asked dryly.
"Forget it. You two can have each other. Get well soon," Ava said coldly and stormed out.
"Ava! Ava, come on…" Adam called after her, but she was gone.
* * * * * *
Dawn arrived home to the warmth of her siblings, who ran to hug her.
"Where have you been? Are you okay?" Amy asked worriedly.
"I'm fine," Dawn said with a tired smile. "Adam had an accident, but he's awake now."
They all exhaled in relief. "We'll go see him tomorrow," Jason said.
"Okay," Dawn replied and headed toward the kitchen.
Moments later, Amy entered quietly. "Hey, princess," Dawn said, noticing her hesitation. "What is it?"
"Ava's… strange," Amy said carefully.
Dawn frowned. "Strange how?"
"Someone called her earlier. Leslie picked up, and the person said, 'The job's done.'"
Dawn froze. "What?"
"Yeah. Leslie asked what job, but the man hung up."
"Oh my God." Dawn pressed a hand to her forehead. "What did I tell you about getting involved in other people's business?"
"You said not to," Amy murmured, eyes downcast.
"Exactly. I don't want Leslie's bad habits rubbing off on you," Dawn said.
"Sorry," Amy whispered and left quietly.
Dawn turned back to the pot on the stove, but her mind was spinning. The job was done.
Her hand stilled. Her eyes widened.
Adam's accident.
A mysterious phone call.
Ava.
Everything connected in a chilling realization.
"Oh no…" she whispered, heart pounding. "It can't be…"