Dawn and Daphne were still talking in the kitchen, the air sorta soft now, like it wasn't tense anymore but still, kinda heavy.
"I'll try my best," Dawn said quiet, like she was talking to herself more than Daphne.
"Thank you dear," Daphne said, her eyes shiny, like proud or something. She grabbed Dawn's hand, squeezed it a little. Dawn smiled but inside? Her heart was a mess, stormy and loud but no one else could see it.
She nodded at Daphne and went upstairs to fetch the kids. When she opened Adam's room, laughter hit her like a wave, the kids all over the place, sprawled on the floor, on chairs, on Adam like he was already theirs. Dawn smiled at that but then, reality hit her and pulled her back. She called them to leave, everyone said bye, Adam too. She started to leave but… Adam's voice, soft but firm stopped her.
"Dawn."
Her heart did a weird jump.
"Are you okay?" she asked, watching his face, trying to read it.
"Yeah… I am," Adam muttered, but his eyes? Not lying. They told her everything Tara had been feeding him—poisoned little lies, making her look like she wanted to replace Ava.
Dawn froze, chest tight. Rage, disbelief, everything mixed up. If Tara was lying, then Alex… Alex had been telling the truth all along. Her voice shook as she said, "Adam, my intentions are clean. I'm not trying to replace anyone."
Adam's look softened, doubt falling away like dust. "I know. I trust you."
Relief was small but there, she whispered a thank you and left, head spinning. Alex… had she been unfair? Too quick to judge maybe? Guilt and betrayal hit her hard, and by the time she got home, her heart felt like it was in pieces.
The siblings noticed instantly.
"What you gonna do?" Jason asked, cautious.
"I won't confront Tara yet," Dawn said, voice hard with determination. "I want to catch her red-handed."
"Got a plan… or need one?" Leslie smirked.
Dawn rolled her eyes. "From you? No thanks."
* * * * * *
At Peige's house, Tara smirked, like she already won or something.
"Dawn is sooo stupid. Makes her an easy target."
Peige raised one brow. "Why you even doing this? Why help me?"
Tara's eyes darkened. "I'm not doing it for fun. It's… revenge."
Peige's mouth dropped a little. Tara wasn't always like this. What… broke her?
* * * * * *
At the pizzeria, Alex was serving the last customer, smiling like it was normal, then ripped off her apron for lunch break. She stopped mid-step when she saw Dawn sitting there, corner table. Chest tight, hands fidgety. She thought about leaving but Dawn's voice cut through anyway.
"I need to speak with you."
Alex hesitated, then sat, bracing herself. Dawn poured it all out, the lies, Tara's manipulations, then the apology. Tears came to Alex's eyes, bitter and hot.
"So… you finally found out," she whispered bitterly. "Glad you know now."
"I'm… I'm sorry, Alex. I hurt you, you always had my back."
Alex shook her head, voice cracking. "You call me friend, but you couldn't trust me. You believed her… you believed Tara."
"I didn't… I believed the evidence," Dawn tried to explain.
"And who told you to check my phone huh? Tara, right?" Alex's eyes were fire. Dawn said nothing. That was answer enough.
Alex's chair scraped back, she stood up. "I can't do this. It's my lunch break Dawn. Enjoy your life… good luck." She walked off, leaving Dawn hollow.
* * * * * *
Time moved, slow, awkward. Wounds stayed. Dawn and Adam started finding each other again but Tara's shadow… always there.
At the hospital, Adam sat by Ava's bed, soft voice, tender. Told her everything, family stuff, Dawn stuff… he believed maybe she could hear him. Dawn stood quiet by him, hand on his shoulder, steadying.
Door creaked open. Tara.
"Hi, cuz. Hey Adam," she purred.
Dawn's fists clenched, teeth grinding. She bit her words, stormed out before she exploded. Adam's voice dropped cold. "Stay away from me. Stay away from Ava. I mean it." He shoved her back, walked past her, jaw tight.
* * * * * *
Later, Manchester house, Daphne in kitchen, making lunch. Dawn rushed to help. Daphne just smiled. "Go sit with Adam." Dawn obeyed, warmth tugging at her lips.
"Why didn't you tell her?" Adam asked, quiet.
"Because… nothing good comes from people like Tara and her mother," Dawn said bitterly.
Adam reached for her hand. "Don't worry. You got me and Mom now. They can't touch you."
Her heart… melted. "Thank you."
* * * * * *
Upstairs, at Dawn's house, Leslie and Jason whispering, Amy walks in.
"You two aren't fighting?" she teased.
"Not today," Leslie smirked.
"Miracle," Jason muttered.
But the peace shattered when Tara showed her presence.
"What's wrong with Dawn?" she demanded.
"After setting me up, you still come here?" Leslie snapped.
"When I am asking a question, I need an answer. Besides, you are all bark, no bite," Tara sneered.
Leslie's eyes blazing, without hesitation she picked up a bucket in hand. Water dumped over Tara. Tara screamed, soaked.
"I got bark, yeah. My bite? Deadly. Now get out." Leslie smirked.
Jason and Amy laughed like crazy. Tara stormed out, humiliated.
"You sure you're not adopted?" Jason teased. "You're the only psycho here."
Leslie glared. "Want a taste too?"
Jason raised hands. "Pass." Room full of laughter.
* * * * * *
Back at Manchester's, lunch done, and Dawn was clearing plates. Adam appeared.
"You need something?" she asked soft. No answer.
He stepped closer, eyes searching hers. And then, leaned in, kissed her. Dawn's eyes wide, heart betraying her… beating faster than ever.