Dawn and Tara stepped into the pizzeria. Dawn walked up to Alex at the counter and greeted her warmly.
"Who are you with?" Alex asked curiously.
"That's my cousin, Tara," Dawn explained with a smile.
"What about your siblings? How are they doing?" Alex pressed.
"They're fine, thank you," Dawn replied, still smiling, before ordering pasta. She carried the tray back, served Tara, and sat down.
"So," Tara began, lowering her voice, "you're telling me you got that creepy message…and you still don't know who sent it?"
Dawn nodded. "Yeah. And I don't want the twins to know. They'll only get worried."
Tara reached for her hand. "We'll get to the bottom of this. Don't stress."
Dawn gave her a grateful smile.
Later, the two walked down the street, still talking about the mysterious sender.
"I suspect Peige," Dawn admitted.
Tara shook her head. "Even if she's…who she is, she's still human. She wouldn't stoop this low again."
Dawn was about to argue when her phone buzzed. Daphne's name flashed on the screen. She quickly picked up.
"Dawn, can you please go to the hospital? Adam's there with Ava. I'm stuck at the company," Daphne pleaded.
"Don't worry, I'll go," Dawn assured her before hanging up.
She told Tara everything. Without hesitation, Tara offered to come along.
* * * * * *
At the hospital, they asked for Ava's ward and quietly entered. Dawn greeted Adam, who nodded in reply. She walked closer.
"How is she?" she asked softly, concern lacing her voice.
"Same as before. No improvement," Adam said sadly.
Dawn squeezed his hand. "She'll wake up one day. I promise. I'll visit her often too."
Adam's shoulders softened. "Thank you."
Tara signaled that she was leaving. Dawn nodded and waved her goodbye before sitting with Adam a little longer. Eventually, she too left, giving him a warm smile as she did.
* * * * * *
Back at home, Dawn found the twins sulking on the couch.
"What's wrong?" she asked.
"I didn't want to fight her because you told me not to," Leslie said, pouting.
"So what happened?" Dawn pressed.
"She called me a stray. An adopted stray. She keeps mocking me." Leslie's eyes watered.
Anger flared in Dawn. "I'll go to your school tomorrow and speak to the principal. Some people only learn the hard way."
"Just let me handle it," Leslie begged.
"No fighting," Dawn reminded firmly, then turned to Jason. "And you? Why the long face?"
Jason folded his arms. "I don't like seeing Leslie sad. That's why."
Dawn blinked in shock. "Wait…you two don't even get along. You're always at each other's throats."
Jason shrugged. "She's still my sister. I love her."
A smile spread across Dawn's face. "Wow…I'm impressed."
"Quick, give me your phone. I need to record this moment," Jason said dramatically.
Rolling her eyes but amused, Dawn handed it over. Jason pointed the camera at Leslie. "Your turn."
Leslie groaned. "Fine. Thanks for sticking up for me. I love you too."
Jason smirked, saved the recording, and set it as Dawn's ringtone before bolting upstairs.
"Ha! Got you. And for the record—I don't love you back!" he shouted from the stairs, laughing.
"My phone—and there he goes. I knew it was too good to be true," Dawn said, smiling in defeat.
"And I fell for it," Leslie muttered before stomping off to her room.
A knock at the door distracted her. She opened it to see Alex.
"You seem busy with your new friend," Alex said, her tone edged with jealousy.
"I told you—Tara is my cousin. And we're working on cracking this case," Dawn explained.
"A case you never told me about? And everything else that's happening in your life? Are we even still friends?" Alex asked, voice trembling with disappointment.
"Of course we are. You're my best friend," Dawn assured her.
"Then tell me what's going on."
Dawn sighed, then explained everything.
"Who's your suspect?" Alex asked carefully.
"My aunt, Peige."
Alex frowned. "You might be wrong. Sometimes, the real enemy is right under your nose."
"What are you saying?" Dawn asked, confused.
"Don't trust anyone. Not even your so-called cousin," Alex warned.
"Why would you say that?" Dawn asked, stunned.
Alex had no proof. "Just…be careful. Good luck." With that, she left, leaving Dawn's thoughts in chaos.
* * * * * *
The next morning, Dawn packed food flasks for the twins and Amy. She handed them out with her usual advice, then told Leslie, "I'll be coming to your school today to see the principal."
She wished them luck, waved goodbye, and hurried back inside to change. Bag in hand, she opened the front door—and gasped.
Adam stood there.
"Adam? What are you doing here? How did you even know my house?" Dawn asked, startled.
"Mom gave me the address," he admitted, rubbing the back of his neck. "So…how about that ice cream we talked about?"
Dawn's face broke into a smile. "Sure. Why not?"
At the ice cream shop, she teased, "You know Amy's going to call this injustice if she finds out."
"Then you owe her one," Adam replied with a small grin.
They shared a laugh. For a moment, Dawn wondered if this was real—Adam, talking, almost laughing. She had seen glimpses of life in him before, but now she wanted more. Not for money, not for any deal. For him. She wanted him to believe in living again.
"Hey, are you okay?" Adam asked, noticing her daze.
"Yeah, I'm fine," she said quickly.
"Tell me about your siblings," Adam asked.
Dawn's eyes lit up. "Amy's the youngest—sweet, thoughtful. Leslie's the younger twin. She's fiery, hot-tempered, but really sweet once you get past it. Jason's the older twin—he teases Leslie nonstop, but deep down, he loves her. He's into video games and always finds a way to laugh."
"And what about you?" Adam asked.
Dawn blinked. "Me?"
Adam nodded.
"Well…I'm the eldest. What matters most isn't what I want, but making sure my siblings are happy."
Adam studied her for a moment, then nodded in approval. "You're stronger than you know."
Dawn smiled faintly—just as her phone buzzed. A message from Tara lit up the screen.
"I know who the mysterious person is."
Her heart skipped. Fear and excitement crashed together inside her. Did she really want to know?