Anthony Is Shocked by Shayla’s Court Notice
SCENE 1 — ANTHONY AND D’NISHA’S HOUSE — LIVING ROOM — AFTERNOON
Warm afternoon sunlight filters through the windows.
Anthony sits quietly on the couch, looking at his phone. D’Nisha walks into the room carrying a glass of water.
Is Shayla still calling you?
Anthony sighs and puts his phone down.
Yes. She keeps asking me for money.
And what did you tell her?
I told her no. I’m not giving her money just because she keeps demanding it.
Good. She needs to understand that she can’t keep coming into your life whenever she wants something.
Anthony leans back.
I told her if Kai needs something important, she can explain what it is. But I’m not just handing her money.
A loud knock suddenly comes from the front door. Anthony and D’Nisha look at each other.
Another knock.
Who is that?
I’ll find out.
SCENE 2 — FRONT DOOR — CONTINUOUS
Anthony opens the door. Shayla is standing outside, visibly frustrated. She holds a folder tightly in her hand.
Shayla, what are you doing here?
I came because you refused to give me the money I asked for.
I already told you no.
And I already told you Kai needs financial support.
If Kai needs something, tell me what he needs.
Shayla raises the folder.
I’m not asking you for money for myself. I’m asking you to give me money for your son, Kai.
Anthony pauses. D’Nisha walks into the hallway and immediately sees Shayla.
Seriously? You came to our house to demand money again?
This has nothing to do with you.
It has everything to do with me when you keep showing up here and creating problems.
Both of you, calm down.
Anthony, you need to understand that Kai has expenses. He needs food, clothes, school supplies, and other things.
I understand that. But that doesn’t mean you can just demand money from me whenever you want.
Then maybe this will make you understand.
She opens the folder.
SCENE 3 — LIVING ROOM — MOMENTS LATER
Anthony, D’Nisha, and Shayla stand inside the living room.
Shayla removes a document from the folder and holds it out toward Anthony.
Read this.
Anthony slowly takes the paper. His eyes move across the page. His expression suddenly changes.
What is it?
Anthony doesn’t answer. He keeps reading.
It’s a court notice.
A court notice?
Yes. It states that you are Kai’s father and that you are required to provide financial support for him.
Wait… what?
She actually went to court?
I had to. You kept refusing to help.
Why didn’t you tell me about this before?
Because you weren’t listening.
You could have talked to me.
I did talk to you. You told me no.
A tense silence fills the room.
SCENE 4 — D’NISHA’S ULTIMATUM — CONTINUOUS
I’m tired of this, Anthony.
No. You need to listen to me this time.
Shayla watches silently.
Every time I think we can have peace, Shayla comes back with another problem.
I understand that Kai is your son. I’m not asking you to ignore him.
But I’m tired of Shayla constantly being involved in our relationship.
I’m not choosing Shayla over you.
Then prove it.
Anthony remains silent.
You either keep Shayla in your life, or you keep me.
D’Nisha, this isn’t that simple.
It became simple the moment Shayla started bringing court notices to our house.
SCENE 5 — THE CONFRONTATION — EVENING
The sunlight outside begins to fade. Anthony looks down at the court notice again. His expression is filled with disbelief.
I never expected this.
I didn’t want things to get this far.
But you took me to court.
Because Kai deserves support.
D’Nisha, I need you to understand something.
I’m not going to abandon my son.
I never asked you to abandon Kai.
I’m asking you to set boundaries.
I didn’t come here to fight with you, D’Nisha.
I came because Kai needs his father to take responsibility.
I’ll handle the situation.
I hope you do.
She walks out. The door closes. Anthony stands silently in the living room. D’Nisha remains by the window. Neither of them speaks.
SCENE 6 — ANTHONY’S DECISION — NIGHT
Later that night, Anthony sits alone at the kitchen table. The court notice is in front of him.
Have you made your decision?
I know I have responsibilities toward Kai.
But I also don’t want to lose you.
Then you need to find a way to handle this without letting Shayla control your life.
I will.
He looks down at the court notice one more time.
But this changes everything.
D’Nisha slowly sits beside him. Outside, the night grows darker.
Anthony realizes that refusing Shayla’s demands is no longer the only issue.
Now, a court notice has entered his life—and his relationship with D’Nisha may never be the same.
TO BE CONTINUED 🚨
The drama continues in the next episode…