The house is unusually quiet.
Warm evening light filters through the windows, casting long shadows across the living room.
BROOKE sits on the couch, staring down at her phone.
She looks exhausted.
There is still tension in her expression, as if she has been carrying too many unanswered questions for too long.
A sound comes from the front door.
Brooke looks up.
The door opens.
ISAIAH’S FATHER steps inside.
Isaiah follows behind him.
Brooke freezes.
Her eyes widen when she realizes who is standing there.
ISAIAH looks nervous.
He keeps his eyes lowered for a moment before finally looking at Brooke.
Brooke slowly stands.
Isaiah’s father takes a step forward.
His expression is serious, but calm.
Brooke looks at Isaiah.
She is clearly surprised.
Isaiah’s father looks between them.
He pauses.
Isaiah finally speaks.
Brooke folds her arms.
Her voice shakes slightly.
Isaiah nods.
He takes a cautious step closer.
Brooke looks away.
For a moment, neither of them speaks.
Talk to each other.
No more assumptions.
No more listening to what other people say.
Brooke slowly sits.
Isaiah sits across from her.
Isaiah’s father looks at them one last time.
He turns toward the hallway.
Before leaving, he looks back.
He walks away.
Brooke and Isaiah are left alone.
The silence feels heavy.
Brooke looks directly at him.
Isaiah struggles to answer.
Brooke shakes her head.
Isaiah nods.
A quiet moment passes.
Brooke’s expression softens slightly.
They look at each other.
For the first time, the tension between them begins to ease.
Isaiah leans forward.
Brooke looks down.
Suddenly—FOOTSTEPS echo from the hallway.
Both of them turn.
LARRY enters the living room.
He stops immediately when he sees Isaiah.
His expression changes.
The calm atmosphere disappears.
Larry stares at Isaiah.
Brooke quickly stands.
Larry looks toward the hallway.
His anger grows.
Isaiah stands.
He remains calm.
Isaiah takes a breath.
Larry steps closer.
Brooke moves between them.
Brooke looks shocked.
Larry turns back toward Isaiah.
Isaiah’s expression becomes firmer.
Isaiah shakes his head.
Larry’s anger boils over.
He steps toward Isaiah.
Brooke immediately notices the change in his expression.
Isaiah remains where he is.
Larry suddenly shoves Isaiah backward.
Brooke gasps.
Isaiah catches his balance.
He looks shocked.
Larry steps forward again.
His anger takes over.
He starts striking Isaiah.
Brooke quickly moves between them.
She raises her hands, trying to separate them.
Isaiah backs away.
Larry is still furious.
Brooke turns toward Larry.
Brooke’s eyes fill with frustration.
The room falls silent.
Isaiah looks at Brooke.
She looks at him.
He looks toward Larry.
Larry’s breathing slowly becomes calmer.
But his expression remains hard.
Footsteps suddenly come from the hallway.
ISAIAH’S FATHER rushes back into the room.
He immediately sees the tension.
Brooke turns toward him.
Isaiah’s father looks at Larry.
Larry looks away.
Isaiah’s father approaches his son.
His father looks at Brooke.
Brooke shakes her head.
Larry finally speaks.
His voice is quieter now.
Brooke looks at him.
Isaiah remains silent.
Larry looks toward Isaiah.
Isaiah takes a breath.
He looks at Brooke one last time.
There is sadness in his eyes.
Brooke nods slowly.
Isaiah’s father places a hand on his son’s shoulder.
Isaiah turns toward the door.
Before leaving, he looks back at Brooke.
She watches him silently.
The door closes behind them.
Brooke remains standing in the living room.
Larry looks at her.
For a moment, neither speaks.
The evening suddenly feels much heavier than before.
Brooke slowly turns away.
but the confrontation has created an entirely new problem.