INT. LIVING ROOM – DAY
Soft daylight fills the room. The air feels heavy, like something unspoken is about to break.
BETHANY stands near the window, arms crossed tightly. Her face is tense, eyes searching.
Across from her, BROOKE stands still, nervous, avoiding eye contact.
A long silence.
BETHANY
(cold, controlled)
Brooke… I’m going to ask you once.
Brooke swallows hard.
BETHANY
Where was Larry?
Brooke’s fingers fidget with the hem of her sleeve.
BROOKE
I… I told you. He went to Miami.
Bethany’s expression doesn’t change.
If anything… it hardens.
BETHANY
Don’t lie to me.
The words land heavy.
Brooke looks up, startled.
BETHANY
I already know something’s wrong.
She steps closer, her voice trembling now—not with anger, but with something deeper.
BETHANY
Everyone’s been acting strange. You… Lynette… even his friends.
A beat.
BETHANY
What are you all hiding?
Brooke’s eyes fill with conflict.
She looks away.
BROOKE
It’s nothing, Bethany.
Bethany lets out a sharp breath—frustration building.
BETHANY
Nothing?
She laughs bitterly.
BETHANY
My husband disappears… gives me one story… and everyone else avoids me like I’m invisible.
She steps closer.
BETHANY
(voice breaking)
And you call that nothing?
Brooke’s silence says too much.
Bethany notices.
Her eyes narrow slightly.
BETHANY
(whispers)
You know something.
Brooke shakes her head quickly.
BROOKE
I don’t want to get involved.
Bethany’s heart sinks.
BETHANY
That means you are involved.
The tension thickens.
Brooke takes a deep breath, struggling.
BROOKE
Bethany… please. Just let it go.
Bethany grabs her wrist—not aggressively, but desperately.
BETHANY
No.
A tear slips down her cheek.
BETHANY
I deserve the truth.
Brooke looks at her… really looks this time.
She sees the pain. The confusion. The betrayal already forming.
Brooke’s composure begins to crack.
BROOKE
(quietly)
You’re not going to like it.
Bethany’s voice softens.
BETHANY
Just say it.
A long pause.
Brooke exhales slowly.
BROOKE
Larry… didn’t go to Miami.
The room goes still.
Bethany blinks, processing.
BETHANY
Then… where was he?
Brooke hesitates.
This is the point of no return.
BROOKE
He was in Puerto Rico.
The words hit like thunder.
Bethany’s breath catches.
BETHANY
Puerto… Rico?
Her voice sounds distant, like it doesn’t belong to her.
BETHANY
Why?
Brooke closes her eyes briefly.
BROOKE
For Destiny’s Sweet 16.
Silence.
Heavy. Crushing silence.
Bethany steps back slowly, as if the ground beneath her is shifting.
BETHANY
No…
She shakes her head, disbelief flooding her face.
BETHANY
That doesn’t make sense.
Her voice grows louder, more desperate.
BETHANY
Why would he lie about that?
Brooke doesn’t answer immediately.
That silence… again… answers everything.
Bethany’s eyes widen.
BETHANY
(whispers)
He didn’t want me to know.
Brooke looks down.
BROOKE
Everyone thought… it would be better this way.
Bethany’s expression breaks completely.
BETHANY
Better?
She lets out a hollow laugh.
BETHANY
You all decided what’s better for me?
Her voice shakes with anger now.
BETHANY
You all lied to my face.
Brooke tries to step closer.
BROOKE
We were trying to protect you—
BETHANY
(interrupting, sharp)
Protect me from what?!
The question echoes in the room.
Brooke has no answer.
Because there isn’t one that will fix this.
Bethany’s breathing becomes uneven.
She turns away, pacing.
BETHANY
He went to another country… for someone else’s celebration…
Her voice cracks.
BETHANY
And I wasn’t even worth the truth.
She stops, staring at nothing.
The realization sinks deeper.
BETHANY
(soft, broken)
Everyone knew…
A tear rolls down her cheek.
BETHANY
Except me.
Brooke watches helplessly.
BROOKE
I’m sorry.
Bethany shakes her head slowly.
BETHANY
No…
She turns back, eyes filled with pain.
BETHANY
Sorry doesn’t fix this.
A long silence stretches between them.
Bethany’s shoulders slump.
The fight drains out of her.
All that’s left is shock.
BETHANY
(whispers)
I don’t even know what’s real anymore.
Brooke steps forward again—but stops herself.
She knows there’s nothing she can say.
Bethany moves toward the couch and sits down slowly.
Her hands tremble.
Her mind races.
Every memory… every word Larry said… now feels like a lie.
BETHANY
(staring ahead)
Miami…
She lets out a quiet, broken breath.
BETHANY
It was never Miami.
The truth settles in fully now.
Cold. Final.
Brooke stands there, guilt heavy in her chest.
Bethany doesn’t look at her anymore.
She just sits… stunned.
Lost.
The room feels emptier than ever.
FADE OUT.