Dawn paced around her apartment, muttering under her breath as she rehearsed how to talk to Adam.
"Hey, how are you doing today?" She groaned immediately. "Ugh, he won't respond to that."
Before she could try again, the sound of shuffling footsteps interrupted her. Her siblings came downstairs, school bags strapped to their backs, ready for their first day back at school.
Dawn instantly lit up with a smile. She rushed to the kitchen, grabbed their food flasks, and handed them out one by one.
"Leslie," she said, eyes locked firmly on hers, "no trouble. New class, new you."
Leslie rolled her eyes but nodded.
"Jason," Dawn continued with a mock sternness, "no skipping class to play video games. Focus on your studies this time."
"Okay, okay," Jason replied with a small grin.
Finally, Dawn crouched down to Amy's level and kissed her cheek. "Keep being my angel," she said warmly.
The twins immediately started grumbling.
"That's not fair, Dawn. We're angels too!" Leslie pouted.
Jason added dramatically, "Yeah, don't play favorites."
Dawn waved them off, laughing, and soon all three siblings were laughing with her. She hugged them tight, wished them luck, and waved as they headed out the door.
Once the apartment was quiet again, she turned back to her unfinished mission. "Okay… so maybe if I start with—"
The doorbell rang.
"Let me guess, you forgot something, Leslie," Dawn muttered as she hurried to the door. But when she opened it, she froze.
"Tara?" Her expression hardened. "What are you doing here?"
Tara shifted nervously before speaking. "I came to apologize… for everything. Can I come in?"
Dawn hesitated, then stepped aside. "Fine."
Inside, Tara thanked her again. "You opened my eyes, Dawn. I finally see my mother for who she really is."
Dawn studied her quietly, then went to fetch her a drink. When they sat, the tension softened, and the two began catching up. Dawn spoke of her deal with Daphne Manchester and all the chaos Peige had caused. Tara listened intently, then promised, "I'll help you. Whatever you need."
A few hours later, Dawn arrived at the Manchester home. After greeting Daphne, she made her way upstairs and gently entered Adam's room.
"Thanks for the other day," Dawn began softly. "You really made Amy's day."
Adam's gray eyes flicked toward her. "Rephrase it," he said coolly. "I made your day, right? I saw you whispering something into her ear." He leaned back. "What do you want from me, Dawn? I don't need a babysitter."
Dawn clenched her fists but forced herself to stay calm. "You know… I never really had a friend growing up. My siblings are my world. I had Tara once, but thanks to my aunt Peige, she was lost to me too."
Adam's expression softened slightly, though he quickly looked away.
"My parents died in a car accident," Dawn continued. "I was the eldest, so I had to take responsibility for my siblings from a young age."
Adam's voice dropped. "I'm sorry."
"It's fine," Dawn said gently. "It was a long time ago. What matters is that I have them now."
Silence hung between them until Dawn finally nudged him. "Alright, your turn."
"My turn?" he echoed.
"Yes. Tell me about yourself."
Adam sighed deeply, then gave in. "Ava and I have been married for three years. But… she developed a malignant brain tumor. They operated, but after surgery… she fell into a coma and never woke up." His voice cracked slightly.
Dawn's heart sank. She had only wanted to hear his story — not reopen his wounds. "I'm so sorry," she whispered. "I pray she recovers."
Adam nodded once. "Thank you."
Her eyes widened — he actually thanked her. Was he finally opening up?
"You're not alone," Dawn reassured softly.
Then, trying to keep things light, she asked, "Would you like to go out sometime? Maybe just for ice cream?"
Adam shook his head. "No… I'll pass."
Dawn hid her disappointment with a polite smile. "Alright. Take care of yourself." She rose and left, but not before sharing the details with Daphne, who beamed.
"You're getting through to him," Daphne said gratefully.
When Dawn got home, she found Leslie and Jason bickering as usual. She ignored their fight and asked, "Where's Amy?"
The twins exchanged mischievous grins. "Is it just me, or does our mother look… happy today?" Leslie teased.
"Oh, I'm your mother now? That's an upgrade," Dawn joked, shaking her head.
Jason smirked. "No, no, this is not normal happy. This looks like 'in love' happy."
"Excuse you? Who exactly am I in love with?"
"Daphne Manchester's son," Leslie teased. "Is that where you're coming from?"
Dawn didn't answer — which was answer enough.
"Dawn and Adam sitting in a tree," Jason started to sing.
"K-I-S-S-I-N-G!" Leslie joined in.
"You know what? You're both grounded!" Dawn shouted, but the three of them dissolved into laughter.
Just then, Amy came down and hugged her. "Where have you been?" Dawn asked.
"In my room, doing homework," Amy replied sweetly.
"Good girl," Dawn said, then turned to the twins. "You're supposed to set an example, not fight all the time."
"Speaking of example," Leslie added mischievously, "when are you getting married? We need a father." She bolted upstairs laughing as Dawn picked up her shoe.
"Yeah, keep running!" Dawn shouted. Jason immediately raised his hands in surrender and retreated to his room.
As Dawn exhaled, she turned — and jumped. "Oh my God, Tara! I didn't know you were still here. You scared me."
Tara chuckled nervously. "I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to."
"It's fine," Dawn said, placing a hand over her chest. "You're welcome here anytime. Are you staying over?"
"No, I've got an apartment. But I'll visit often."
Dawn smiled and waved her goodbye.
Later that evening, Daphne stirred porridge in the kitchen when Adam walked in.
"Hey, son. Do you need something?" she asked.
Adam hesitated, then spoke. "I just… wanted to thank you. For being here for me, even when I push you away. I'm sorry for all the trouble I've caused."
"You owe me no apology," Daphne said gently. "You're my son. I'll always care about you."
Adam nodded, a faint vulnerability in his eyes, before slipping out. Daphne couldn't stop the wide smile that spread across her face. Was this Adam changing? Or… Dawn's influence?
Back in her apartment, Dawn lay on her bed, casually chatting with Alex over the phone when a notification pinged. She picked it up.
Her heart dropped.
Message: "This isn't over."
No name. No number. Just that chilling line.
Her pulse quickened, panic flooding through her veins. Who could it be? Peige? Someone else? She thought it was over — that life would return to normal. But now, fear gnawed at her.
It wasn't over.