Adam sat at Ava's bedside, fingers loosely entwined with hers. The steady beep of the monitors filled the sterile hospital room, each sound a reminder of her absence. His eyes searched her face for any flicker of movement.
"Ava," he whispered, voice raw, "I'm not tired of waiting. But I'm tired of living in this world without you. Please… wake up."
The door creaked open. Daphne stepped inside, heels clicking softly against the floor. She went straight to her son and wrapped her arms around him.
"How are you holding up?" she asked, worry etched across her face.
Adam pulled back, eyes red. "I'm not fine, Mom. I need Ava. I need her back."
"Adam," Daphne began gently, "I want the best for Ava. But I also want the best for you. You—"
"I can't move on without her," Adam snapped, cutting her off. He shoved his chair back and stormed out of the room, leaving Daphne standing in the quiet. She turned her gaze to Ava, whispered a short prayer under her breath, and left as well.
At Dawn's apartment, fists pounded against a closed door.
"Leslie, Jason—please, just listen to me!" Dawn begged, knuckles raw from knocking. Silence answered her. Finally, exhausted, she sank to the floor outside Leslie's room, tears spilling freely.
Minutes later, the door creaked open. Leslie stepped out, face set in stone. Dawn scrambled to her feet.
"Leslie, please, let me explain—"
But Leslie brushed past her and headed downstairs. Dawn followed quickly, catching her hand.
"Listen to me, Leslie!"
Leslie yanked her hand away and whirled around, anger flashing in her eyes. "What do you want? Aren't you tired of lying to us? Tell me, is Amy even your sister?"
Dawn's chest tightened. "Of course she is. You all are my siblings. None of you were adopted. Peige is lying. She's trying to destroy us."
"Then how do you explain the DNA results?" Leslie shot back, arms folded.
"I don't know. I don't know how she pulled it off—but it's a lie."
Leslie's voice lowered, steady but sharp. "Then be honest. Where did you get all this wealth from?"
"I'm working," Dawn said quickly.
"What kind of job?" Leslie pressed.
Dawn faltered.
"See?" Leslie's voice broke. "You're not honest with me. You cared for us, you acted like our mother—but mothers don't keep their children in the dark."
"I—" Dawn tried, but Leslie cut her off again.
"I know you've sacrificed everything for us. But you don't have to be a prostitute to give us a good life."
The words slapped harder than any hand. Dawn's face burned with fury. Before she realized it, her palm cracked across Leslie's cheek.
"I will never sell my dignity for money," she said through clenched teeth. Regret hit her instantly. "Leslie, I'm sorry—"
But Leslie had already stormed out, tears in her eyes. Dawn collapsed onto the couch, face in her hands, sobbing.
At Peige's mansion, laughter spilled from the television. Peige lounged on the couch, sipping wine. Tara walked in, blocking her view.
"I know you're pretty, baby, but I'm watching the movie—not your face," Peige said with a smirk.
Tara snatched the remote and shut off the screen. "I need answers."
"That's rude," Peige snapped.
"Dad won't tell me anything. He said you would." Tara's eyes were sharp, unwavering.
Peige scoffed, brushing past her. "Whatever Dawn told you, she's crazy. Don't waste your time."
Tara stood frozen, frustration burning as her mother swept out of the room.
Back at Dawn's house, she set the table, forcing a smile.
"Amy, come eat," she called.
"Where are the others?" Amy asked, confused.
"They'll come," Dawn said, masking her worry. She climbed the stairs, knocking on the twins' doors. Jason's door creaked open; Leslie's remained locked.
She sat beside Jason on his bed. "Jason, listen to me. You're my brother. Peige is lying."
He turned to her, face tight. "We used to joke about it, and now it's true. When were you planning on telling us?"
"Never—because it's not true. You weren't adopted."
"Stop lying!" Jason snapped.
"I'm not! We can go to the hospital, do a real DNA test—"
But he turned away, silent. Dawn touched his shoulder gently. "Food's ready." She left, checked Leslie's room, and froze. It was empty. Panic surged.
She ran downstairs, hiding her fear. "I'm fine," she told Amy, voice shaking. She called Alex—no sign of Leslie.
Heart racing, Dawn rushed to the Manchesters'. Daphne opened the door, startled.
"She's with me," Daphne said, calming her.
Relief flooded Dawn, followed by anger. She stormed inside, straight to Leslie.
"Why would you leave without telling me? Do you know how worried I was?"
Leslie kept silent.
"Fine," Dawn snapped. "You want the truth? Here it is. Mrs. Manchester hired me to make her son happy because his wife has been in a coma for a year."
Leslie looked between them, shocked. Daphne gave a small nod. Tears filled Leslie's eyes as she threw her arms around Dawn.
"I'm sorry," she whispered.
Dawn's anger melted, and she looked at Daphne. "Thank you… but I need your help."
"With what?" Daphne asked gently.
"I want revenge. On the one who's been my biggest obstacle."
"Who?"
Dawn's lips curved into a cold smile. "Peige. And I know exactly how to make her pay."