Dawn paced around her apartment, mumbling to herself like someone practicing for a job interview she never applied for.
"Hey, how are you doing today?" she tried, then instantly cringed. "Ugh, no. He'd probably just stare at me like I said something stupid."
She tried again. "Adam, I just wanted to—" She stopped, groaned, dragged her hand down her face. "Why am I even nervous? He's just a guy. A very annoying, cold, confusing guy."
Before she could attempt take three, footsteps sounded behind her. Her siblings came down the stairs with their school bags, all dressed and ready.
Dawn instantly switched moods like a light switch. She rushed to the kitchen, grabbed their food flasks, and handed them over one by one like she'd been doing it her whole life.
"Leslie," Dawn said, pointing a warning finger, "no trouble. New class, new attitude."
Leslie rolled her eyes like the sky offended her but nodded anyway.
"Jason," Dawn continued, now in fake-serious big-sister mode, "no skipping class to play video games in the library."
Jason smirked. "Okay, okay. I got it."
Finally, she crouched beside Amy, kissed her cheek, and smiled. "Keep being my little angel."
The twins immediately protested.
"Wow, so we're the demons now?" Leslie said.
Jason crossed his arms. "I feel disrespected."
Dawn waved them away dramatically. "Please, you two lost your angel status a LONG time ago."
They burst into laughter — her too. She hugged them all tightly and sent them out the door like a mother sending her heart to school.
The house quieted. Dawn turned back to her original mission.
"Okay. So maybe if I start with—"
The doorbell rang.
She sighed. "Leslie probably forgot her lunch… again."
But when she opened the door, she blinked.
"Tara?"
Her voice dropped cold. "What are you doing here?"
Tara shifted awkwardly. "I… came to apologize. For everything. Can I come in?"
Dawn hesitated, then stepped aside. "Fine. Come in."
Inside, Tara thanked her, actually thanked her and said, "You opened my eyes, Dawn. I finally see my mother for who she really is."
Dawn didn't fully trust it, but she also didn't have the energy to fight anymore. She got Tara a drink, they talked, and for a moment it felt like old times. Tara listened to everything, the deal with Daphne, the chaos Peige caused, and finally said:
"I'll help you. Whatever you need."
* * * * * *
A few hours later, Dawn arrived at the Manchester home. After greeting Daphne, she went upstairs and gently pushed open Adam's door.
"Thanks for the other day," she said softly. "You made Amy's day."
Adam didn't look fully at her. Just a side-glance. "Rephrase it. I made your day, didn't I? I saw you whispering something to her." He leaned back. "What do you want, Dawn? I don't need a babysitter."
Dawn swallowed her irritation. "I just… wanted to talk."
He didn't reply, so she kept going.
"You know, I didn't really have friends growing up. My siblings were all I had. I had Tara once, but… that fell apart too."
Adam stayed quiet, but something in his face softened.
"My parents died in a car accident," Dawn continued. "I had to take care of the kids. I didn't really have a choice."
Adam's voice lowered. "I'm sorry."
"It's okay," she said gently. "It was a long time ago."
Silence. But not the cold kind — the fragile kind.
Then she nudged him lightly. "Okay, 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. She developed a malignant brain tumor. They operated but… she never woke up."
His voice cracked, just once, and Dawn instantly wished she hadn't asked.
"I'm sorry," she whispered. "I really hope she recovers."
Adam nodded once. "Thank you."
Was that… gratitude? From him?
"You're not alone, Adam," Dawn said softly.
She tried to lighten the moment. "Want to go out sometime? Just ice cream or something simple?"
He shook his head. "No… I'll pass."
It stung, but she smiled anyway. "Alright. Take care of yourself."
She left, updated Daphne, and Daphne was practically glowing.
"You're getting through to him," she said, almost whispering like she didn't want to scare the moment away.
* * * * * *
When Dawn got home, the twins were already arguing about something pointless. She asked, "Where's Amy?"
"She's upstairs," Jason replied.
Leslie squinted at Dawn. "Why do you look… happy?"
"Oh no," Jason grinned, "this is crush happy."
"Excuse you?" Dawn blinked. "What crush?"
"Adam Manchester," Leslie sang. "Is that where you're coming from?"
Dawn stayed silent — which was an answer.
"Dawn and Adam sitting in a tree..." Jason began.
"K-I-S-S-I-N-G!" Leslie joined in.
"You're both grounded," Dawn shouted, but they were all laughing anyway.
Amy entered quietly and hugged her. "I did my homework," she said.
"Good girl," Dawn smiled.
Leslie called from the stairs, "So when are you getting married? We need a father!"
Dawn threw a shoe. Leslie ran like her life depended on it.
Jason just backed away hands up. "I want no problems."
As Dawn turned, she jumped. "Tara! I forgot you were even here!"
Tara chuckled. "Sorry. Didn't mean to scare you."
"You're fine. Come over anytime."
* * * * * *
Meanwhile, Daphne stirred porridge in the kitchen when Adam walked in.
"Hey, son. Need something?"
He hesitated. "I just wanted to thank you. For… being here. Even when I'm not the easiest person."
"You're my son," Daphne said gently. "Apology not needed."
He nodded and left, but something in him was changing. Maybe slowly. Maybe painfully. But changing.
* * * * * *
That night, Dawn lay in bed, texting Alex, when her phone buzzed again.
A message. No number.
This isn't over.
Her heart dropped into her stomach.
Peige? Someone else? Another threat?
She thought the storm was finally passing.
But now she wasn't so sure.
It wasn't over.