Bethany and Larry’s fight is destroying Brooke 😢⚡. Should Sharra take her away? And if she does… what dark consequences await? 💔

 LARRY slams the bedroom door.

From the hallway, BETHANY hears the unmistakable click of the lock—then the heart-stopping metallic scrape of his wedding ring hitting the hardwood floor inside. Silence. And then her phone buzzes on the counter: a single text from an unknown number— “I told you he’d leave when he finally had enough.”

INT. LIVING ROOM - EVENING (CONTINUING)

The air is thick, electric. LARRY disappears down the hallway. The slam of the bedroom door echoes like a gunshot.

BROOKE (16) stands frozen between the couch and her mother, eyes glassy.

BROOKE (whisper) Mom… I’ve never seen Dad like that.

BETHANY still rooted to the spot, arms wrapped around herself now. The anger drained out of her, leaving only cold dread.

BETHANY (voice cracking) He’ll cool down. He always does.

But even she doesn’t believe it tonight.

BROOKE He was shaking, Mom. Like… really shaking.

Bethany looks toward the hallway. The bedroom door stays shut. No footsteps. No apology. Nothing.

INT. HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS

Bethany walks slowly, each step heavier than the last. She stops in front of the closed door.

She raises her fist to knock—then lowers it.

BETHANY (soft, through the door) Larry?

Silence.

BETHANY I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to block the door. I just… I didn’t want you to walk away again.

Still nothing.

She tries the handle. Locked.

Her breath catches.

BETHANY Larry… open the door. Please.

From inside, a low, muffled sound—almost like a sob quickly swallowed.

BETHANY (pressing forehead to the door) Talk to me.

Finally, his voice—raw, exhausted.

LARRY (O.S.) I need space, Beth. For once… just give me that.

Bethany closes her eyes. A tear slips.

INT. KITCHEN - LATER THAT NIGHT

BROOKE sits at the table, phone forgotten in her hand. She’s staring at nothing.

Bethany walks in, eyes red.

BROOKE He still won’t come out?

BETHANY (shakes head) He locked the door.

BROOKE (quiet) Mom… what if he leaves?

The words hang like a guillotine.

Bethany freezes.

BETHANY He wouldn’t.

But her voice wavers.

Upstairs, a door creaks open.

Slow footsteps on the stairs.

Both women turn.

LARRY appears at the bottom of the stairs carrying a small overnight bag.

Bethany’s heart stops.

LARRY (eyes on the floor) I’m going to Mark’s for the night.

BETHANY (voice breaking) Larry—no. Please. We can fix this.

He finally looks at her. The anger is gone. What’s left is worse: emptiness.

LARRY I don’t know how many more times I can break before there’s nothing left to fix.

He walks past her, toward the front door.

BROOKE (rushing forward) Dad—don’t go. Please don’t leave us.

Larry stops. His hand on the doorknob trembles.

He turns back. Eyes wet.

LARRY I’m not leaving you, Brooke. Never you.

His gaze shifts to Bethany—long, painful.

LARRY (quiet, final) I just… can’t stay here tonight.

He opens the door.

Cold night air rushes in.

Bethany steps forward, desperate.

BETHANY Larry—

He pauses on the threshold.

LARRY (without turning) When you’re ready to let me breathe in my own home… call me.

The door closes softly behind him.

Silence swallows the house.

Brooke starts crying.

Bethany stands staring at the closed door… as the realization crashes over her:

This time, he might not come back.

FADE OUT.

THE END… or just the beginning of the end.