Tara stormed into the house, her footsteps sharp against the floor.
"Mom, I need answers," she demanded, arms folded, eyes blazing.
Peige paused mid-step. She already knew what this was about.
"So Dawn's gotten into your head," Peige scoffed, her tone full of venom. "That ungrateful loser."
Tara didn't budge. "What happened between you and Dad?"
Peige waved her off like she was shooing away a fly. "That's none of your business. Your focus should be on your future, Tara, the bright future both your parents are building for you. The past doesn't matter."
Tara's jaw tightened. She let out a frustrated breath, spun around, and slammed the door so hard the walls shook.
Left alone, Peige's face twisted from irritation… into fury.
"Dawn," she whispered, lips curling into a dangerous smirk. "You'll pay for this. Every last bit."
* * * * * *
Meanwhile at Dawn's apartment, joy practically bounced off the walls. Dawn hopped around the living room, excitement bubbling over while her siblings stared at her like she'd lost it.
"Looks like someone's on cloud nine," Jason muttered.
"Or maybe she's in love," Leslie added with a dramatic eyebrow raise.
Dawn gasped. "We are not... I mean, we're barely even friends! I'm just… happy I could pull off the job."
"What job?" Leslie asked, narrowing her eyes.
Dawn blinked. "Huh?"
"You just said you were happy to pull off the job. What job?" Leslie repeated, arms folding.
"Cheering up someone who was sad," Dawn said way too quickly.
"So now you're a humanitarian?" Leslie shot back.
Dawn waved her off. "Go inside, all of you. I'm not explaining anything."
The twins exchanged suspicious looks but went anyway.
* * * * * *
Across town, Peige paced her living room, phone pressed tight to her ear. When it finally rang, she answered instantly.
"Hello? Is it done? …Good. I'll come to the hospital for the results."
She hung up slowly, a wicked smile growing.
"This is just the beginning, Dawn. You ungrateful, lying bi*ch."
* * * * * *
Later that evening, Dawn sat talking to Daphne on the phone until someone knocked on the door. She hung up and rushed to open it.
"Alex!" she squealed, immediately hugging her.
They sat down and Alex leaned in, concern written all over her face.
"What's going on with you lately? You seem… different. What's happening?"
Dawn hesitated, smile fading. "I'll tell you everything, I swear. Just… not now. You've already helped me too much. I don't want to dump more problems on you."
Alex shook her head. "I'm not complaining. I'm your friend. Let me help you."
Dawn softened. "Thank you. But right now, I just need you to stay with my siblings. There's something I need to fix."
Alex still looked worried, but nodded. Dawn squeezed her hand and left.
* * * * * *
At the Manchesters' house, Dawn greeted Daphne and went upstairs. She knocked, then stepped into Adam's room.
Adam glanced once… then turned away, staring at the wall.
"Look… I'm sorry for the other day," Dawn said quietly. She moved closer, hopeful but nervous. "I was wrong. I shouldn't have done that without your consent. Please forgive me."
He said nothing. Not a word. Not even a blink.
Dawn's shoulders fell. "Goodbye, Adam."
She walked out silently. Only when she was gone did Adam turn his head, staring at the empty door, his eyes unreadable.
* * * * * *
At Peige's house, little Tara ran around laughing.
"Five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten! Where are you, Daddy?"
Peige chuckled. "It's hide and seek, sweetheart. He can't give you clues."
Minutes later, Tara found him hiding behind a plant. They laughed until the room felt full again.
Then... the laughter shifted.
Dark whispers crawled into her dream.
Why are you smiling, Tara? Your family is gone. Your mother ruined everything.
Tara jolted awake, gasping for breath. "Mom? …Is that you?"
She got up and scanned the room for any living thing but no one was present.
Shaking, she reached for her phone and dialed her father.
"It's time I knew the truth," she whispered.
* * * * * *
Back at Dawn's apartment, the door creaked open. Dawn froze.
"Peige?" she said sharply.
"How did you get in?"
Peige sat there like she owned the place. "I know I haven't been the best aunt to you and your siblings. But I'm here to make things right."
Dawn scoffed. "Make things right how? This isn't a game. You can't undo everything. Leave before I call the cops."
Peige walked closer, arms slightly open, as if for a hug.
Dawn shoved her back. "Don't touch me."
The twins ran in, alarmed. "What's going on?" Leslie asked.
"Go back inside," Dawn said firmly. "I'll handle this."
Peige's gaze slid to the kids. "I came to apologize. I regret how I treated you."
Dawn's expression didn't soften. "Cut the act. What do you want?"
Peige smiled, slow and poisonous. "I know I'm not your real aunt. But that's no excuse for how I treated you."
The room froze.
Jason's voice shook. "What do you mean… not our real aunt?"
Peige reached into her bag and pulled out an envelope, handing it to the twins. They opened it and gasped.
"No!" Dawn rushed forward and snatched it. Her eyes scanned the page, fury building fast.
Peige only laughed. "You should have told them yourself."
"Is it true?" Leslie whispered, voice cracking.
Dawn tore the paper in half. "No! Don't listen to her—"
The twins backed away from her like she was a stranger. Doors slammed. Locks clicked.
Dawn just stood there… frozen… broken.
Peige's laughter echoed as she walked out.