Brooke always knew the truth could ruin people—but she never imagined it would come hunting for her. Now, with Greg’s threats echoing in her ears and a courtroom looming like a guillotine, she’s about to learn that silence can be just as deadly as confession.
INT. BROOKE’S LIVING ROOM – AFTERNOON
Sunlight slants through half-closed blinds, striping the room with long shadows.
BROOKE sits tense on the edge of the couch, phone in hand, scrolling to distract herself from the storm in her life.
Her phone VIBRATES.
The caller ID flashes one word:
GREG.
She freezes.
Brooke inhales sharply, then swipes to answer.
BROOKE
(quiet, cautious)
Hello?
GREG
(over phone, booming)
Brooke. Listen to me very carefully. You are going to testify against Bethany in court.
Brooke stiffens. Her knuckles whiten around the phone.
BROOKE
(shaken)
Wait… what? Greg, what are you talking about?
GREG
Don’t play dumb with me. You know exactly what I mean. You’re going to the courthouse, and you’re going to tell the truth about Bethany. Every detail. Every lie. Everything.
Brooke’s heart kicks up. She glances toward the empty hallway, wishing someone—anyone—could take the call for her.
BROOKE
Greg… I can’t just—
GREG
(sharp, cutting her off)
No excuses. You have no idea what’s at stake here.
He pauses, letting the tension sharpen like a blade.
GREG
This is bigger than Bethany. Bigger than you. The family… the truth… it all depends on you doing this.
Brooke swallows hard, shoulders collapsing.
BROOKE
I… I don’t know if I can.
GREG
(colder)
You don’t have a choice. This isn’t about what you can do. It’s about what must happen. And if you refuse… consequences will follow.
Brooke’s eyes widen. Her breath catches.
BROOKE
(pleading)
Greg… please. Don’t put me in this position. I’m not trying to be in the middle.
GREG
(low, unyielding)
And yet here you are. Holding the power to make or break this case. Do you understand what that means?
Brooke nods involuntarily, even though he can’t see her.
BROOKE
(whispering)
I… I need time.
GREG
Time is a luxury you don’t have. The court date is in two days. You have forty-eight hours to decide.
A beat. His voice sharpens.
GREG
Let me be clear… if you don’t show up and testify, you won’t just be disappointing me. You’ll be putting yourself in a position you won’t recover from. I won’t ask twice.
Brooke sinks deeper into the couch, trembling.
BROOKE
(faltering)
I’ll… I’ll think about it.
GREG
You’d better. Because whatever you decide… there’s no going back.
He hangs up.
The silence is crushing.
Brooke lowers the phone slowly. Her thoughts race in every direction—courtrooms, accusations, Bethany’s face, Greg’s threat.
Her phone BUZZES again.
A message from Greg:
“We’re watching. Make the right choice.”
Brooke’s stomach twists.
She lets the phone fall beside her and leans back, staring at the ceiling with haunted eyes.
The world outside moves on, but inside this dim living room, everything feels heavy and dangerous.
Brooke closes her eyes.
The storm has only just begun.
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