Ava volunteered to handle the grocery shopping at the mall that morning. Adam had offered to go with her, but she waved him off gently.
"Let me handle this one," she said with that calm determination that always melted him.
He hesitated. "Alright," Adam said finally, voice soft but steady. "We'll talk later, okay?"
Ava gave a faint smile and nodded before heading out the door.
* * * * * *
The afternoon sun poured over the city like honey as Ava pushed her cart through the supermarket aisles. The air was filled with soft music, idle chatter, and the steady squeak of her wheels. She reached for a box of cereal—then froze at the sound of a woman's voice.
"Excuse me, are you Ava?"
Ava turned, brows knitted. The woman before her was elegant, confident—too composed.
"Yes… who are you?"
"I'm Tara," the woman said smoothly. "Dawn's friend. Or I used to be. Until she betrayed me."
Ava frowned. "Betrayed you how?"
Tara sighed dramatically. "She knew I loved someone. Then she went behind my back and took him. He dumped me for her." She lowered her gaze, playing the part of the wounded victim perfectly.
"Sorry," Ava muttered, reaching for her cart again. "That sounds like old drama. I'm not interested."
But Tara's next words froze her mid-step.
"She's going to do the same thing with Adam."
Ava's head snapped up. "What did you just say?"
"Dawn ruins relationships. It's what she does," Tara said, her tone almost pitying. "And yours is next."
Ava's voice sharpened. "You don't know me, and I don't know you. Let's keep it that way."
"I'm just trying to help," Tara said sweetly. "In fact, I even have a way to make sure Adam stays yours forever."
"If you don't back off, I'll call the cops," Ava snapped.
Tara only smiled, unbothered. "You seem nice. Just… don't say I didn't warn you. I'll be at the restaurant down the street if you change your mind."
Ava stood frozen as Tara walked away. Her hands trembled against the cart handle, and doubt crept into places she didn't want it to reach.
---
Outside, the clouds had started to gather, the sky dimming slightly as Adam, Daphne, and Dawn arrived at the hospital. Dawn's palms were cold and clammy, her nerves on edge after the unsettling phone call earlier.
"Are you okay?" Adam asked, studying her face.
"Yeah—yes, I'm fine," Dawn stammered, forcing a shaky smile.
"You don't look fine," he pressed gently.
"Don't worry," she said quickly. "I'll be okay."
Her tone was all wrong—tight, trembling. Daphne caught her hand and led her inside, while Adam waited in the corridor, worry settling heavy in his chest.
---
Back home, the silence was thick when Ava returned. She dropped the grocery bags on the table and called out, but no one answered. The kids were at school, and the rest were still at the hospital.
She sighed and dialed Adam's number.
"Hey," his familiar voice came through, instantly softening her.
"I'm home," she said quietly. "But the house feels… empty."
"I took Dawn to the hospital for antenatal care," he said apologetically. "I should've told you earlier."
"It's fine," she said, though something bitter crept into her voice. "Just come home soon, okay?"
"Promise."
When the call ended, Ava leaned against the counter, Tara's words echoing again in her head. Dawn destroys relationships.
She whispered to herself, "No. You're better than this, Ava," and shook the thought away.
---
Evening fell, and laughter filled the house as Adam, Daphne, and Dawn returned. Adam and Dawn settled on the couch, chatting softly. Daphne went to fetch water.
Ava came down the stairs—then froze at the sight of them sitting close, smiling. The ache hit her like a punch to the ribs. She turned without a word and went back upstairs.
Moments later, the front door swung open again. Tara stood there—this time with a tall, unfamiliar man beside her.
"Who are you?" Adam demanded, standing.
The man's jaw tightened. "I'm here to take my wife and unborn child home."
"What?" Daphne gasped.
"That's insane!" Dawn said, eyes wide.
Tara folded her arms, her expression triumphant. "She's been lying to you, Adam. The baby isn't yours. She used you to get your company's inheritance."
Dawn's heart dropped. "What kind of nonsense is this, Tara? You've really lost it."
The man handed Adam a photograph—Dawn and him together, smiling.
Adam's face fell. "You told me you didn't have anyone before me," he said, his voice trembling with disbelief.
"Adam, that photo is fake! People can edit anything now, you know that!" Dawn cried.
"Stop lying to me!" he yelled, the hurt cutting through every word.
"Please, Adam! I swear I don't know this man!" she begged, tears spilling down her cheeks.
But his eyes had gone cold. "Get out of my life, Dawn. Don't ever come back."
Dawn jerked awake, gasping. Sweat dripped down her temple. The room was quiet. No Tara. No stranger. Just Ava, reading nearby, watching her with worried eyes.
"You okay?" Ava asked softly.
Dawn exhaled shakily. "Yeah… just a bad dream."
But her heart still raced. She went upstairs, dialed Alex, and told her everything.
"Tara won't win this time," Alex said firmly. "You've come too far to let her break you."
* * * * * *
Downstairs, Adam came home, smiling as if the world hadn't just spun on its head hours earlier. He kissed Ava's forehead playfully.
"How's my favorite woman doing?" he teased.
"Good," she said, not looking up from her book.
"Mad at me?" he asked, snatching the book from her hand.
"For what?" she said, raising a brow.
"I have something serious to tell you," he said dramatically. "I'm pregnant."
Ava blinked and then burst out laughing. "You're insane."
"I'm serious! I need care, love, and emotional support," he said, hand over his chest.
"Dawn's the pregnant one, not you," she said, trying not to smile. "But fine, I'll take care of you too."
"That's my girl."
He glanced at the book cover. "Thorns of the Hearts? Sounds tragic."
"It's a beautiful story," she replied.
"Or maybe you need a break. Let's go to the park."
"Dawn's inside," she reminded him.
He grinned, grabbing the book and running for the door. "Then let's sneak out before she notices!"
Ava sighed but followed him, laughing quietly as the door closed behind them.
* * * * * *
The park was bathed in gold, the air gentle and calm. They sat on a bench, watching the sun dip below the skyline. For a moment, everything felt right.
Then Ava's phone buzzed. Once. Twice. Again.
She frowned and unlocked it.
Unknown Number: Meet me now. It's urgent.
Her breath caught. Her stomach turned cold. She didn't need to guess who it was.
Tara.