LARRY GIVES BETHANY DIVORCE PAPERS AFTER DEFENDING BROOKE
INT. LARRY’S HOUSE – LIVING ROOM – EVENING
The house is unusually quiet. Larry stands near the window, staring outside with a troubled expression. His mind is filled with everything that has happened inside his family.
Larry has spent days watching Brooke become increasingly dependent on Bethany. He has seen Bethany encourage Brooke to dream bigger, talk about starting a business, and make plans that Larry knows he cannot financially support.
At first, Larry tried to stay calm. He wanted to believe Bethany was simply trying to help Brooke. But the situation has become more serious. Larry feels that Bethany is interfering with his relationship with Brooke and influencing decisions that should be made together.
Larry slowly turns away from the window. His expression is tired, but there is determination in his eyes.
Larry
I can’t keep ignoring this anymore.
Larry
I’ve tried to keep this family together. I’ve tried to understand Bethany. But what she’s doing to Brooke is going too far.
Larry walks toward the table. A folder containing important documents is lying there.
Larry looks down at the folder. He knows exactly what is inside. The decision is painful, but after everything he has witnessed, he believes he has reached the point of no return.
The divorce papers are inside the folder.
Larry
Maybe this is the only way to protect my family.
INT. LARRY’S HOUSE – KITCHEN – MOMENTS LATER
Bethany is standing in the kitchen, organizing a few things. She appears calm and confident, completely unaware of what Larry has decided.
As Larry enters the kitchen, he immediately notices that Bethany is once again talking about Brooke’s future. Bethany believes Brooke has the ability to become independent and successful.
Bethany
Brooke just needs someone to believe in her. She has so much potential.
Larry
What were you telling Brooke this time?
Bethany
What are you talking about?
Larry
I’m talking about the business you keep telling Brooke she should start.
Bethany
Because she can do it, Larry. Brooke is capable of building something for herself.
Larry
You keep filling her head with things you know I can’t afford.
Bethany
I’m encouraging her. There’s nothing wrong with that.
Larry
There is when you make promises you don’t have to keep.
Bethany folds her arms and looks at Larry defensively.
Bethany
What promises?
Larry
You keep telling Brooke that she can start her own business. You make it sound like everything will be easy.
Larry
But I’m the one who has to worry about the money. I have responsibilities, bills, and a family to take care of.
Bethany
Then I’ll help her.
Larry
That’s exactly the problem.
INT. LARRY’S HOUSE – LIVING ROOM – CONTINUOUS
Larry walks into the living room. Bethany follows behind him. The tension between them grows with every step.
Larry
Why won’t you stay away from my daughter?
Bethany
Stay away from Brooke? Larry, she’s not a stranger. She’s Brooke.
Larry
You’re misleading her.
Bethany
No, I’m not. I’m trying to support her.
Larry
Every time Brooke comes to you with an idea, you encourage her without thinking about the consequences.
Bethany
Because someone has to support her.
Larry
I support her!
Bethany
Then prove it. Brooke deserves a chance. If she wants to start a business, why should we stop her?
Larry
Because reality matters! I don’t have enough money to simply start a business for Brooke.
Bethany
Then I’ll give you the money.
Larry looks at Bethany sharply. Her next words push the argument into dangerous territory.
Bethany
I’m Brooke’s mother, and I have every right to support her.
Larry’s expression suddenly changes. The statement touches a sensitive point that has been building inside him for a long time.
Larry
You’re her mother?
Bethany
Yes.
Larry
You are not Brooke’s mother.
Larry
Sharra is!
Bethany freezes. Her face changes immediately. She cannot believe Larry has said those words to her.
THE ARGUMENT EXPLODES
Bethany
How dare you say that to me?
Bethany
I have been here for this family! I have taken care of things in this house. I have supported Brooke. I have been there when people needed me.
Larry
Supporting Brooke doesn’t give you the right to control her future.
Bethany
Control her? I’m trying to help her!
Larry
You’re creating more problems.
Bethany
I am a part of this family.
Bethany
I live in this house, and I have every right to say what I think and do what I believe is best.
Larry stares at Bethany. His face becomes completely serious.
Larry
Not anymore.
Bethany
What does that mean?
Larry looks toward the table. He slowly walks over and picks up the folder.
Bethany
Larry… what are you doing?
Larry
I’m ending this.
Bethany
Ending what?
Larry
This marriage.
Bethany’s confidence disappears. She looks at Larry in disbelief.
Bethany
No. You can’t be serious.
Larry
I am.
THE DIVORCE PAPERS
Larry opens the folder and pulls out the divorce papers. Bethany’s eyes immediately fall on the documents.
Bethany
Larry, don’t do this.
Larry
You should have thought about that before you started interfering with Brooke’s life.
Bethany
I was trying to help her!
Larry
You were pushing her into something I cannot afford.
Bethany
I told you I would give you the money!
Larry
This isn’t only about money anymore! It’s about trust.
Bethany becomes silent. Larry’s words finally reveal how deeply hurt and frustrated he has become.
Larry
You keep crossing boundaries. You keep making decisions for Brooke. You keep acting like you’re the only person who knows what’s best for her.
Bethany
I love Brooke.
Larry
Then you should have respected her father.
Larry extends the divorce papers toward Bethany and then places them firmly in front of her.
Larry
There.
Larry
Those are the divorce papers.
Bethany
You’re really doing this?
Larry
Yes.
Bethany slowly picks up the papers. Her hands are trembling as she looks at the documents.
Bethany
You think you can just throw me out of this family?
Larry
I’m not throwing you out. I’m asking you to leave because this family needs peace.
Bethany
I won’t let you do this.
Larry
You don’t have to agree with me. But the decision has been made.
LARRY’S FINAL WARNING
Bethany stands frozen, holding the divorce papers against her chest. Tears begin to form in her eyes, but she remains furious.
Larry
You are no longer a part of my family.
Larry
Stay away from Brooke. Stay away from all of us. I don’t want any more interference.
Bethany stares at Larry with heartbreak, anger, and disbelief.
Bethany
You’re going to regret this.
Larry
Maybe I will.
Larry
But I know I can’t keep letting this family fall apart.
Bethany turns toward the hallway. She takes a few steps, then stops and looks back at Larry one final time.
Bethany
This isn’t over.
Larry says nothing. Bethany walks away, clutching the divorce papers tightly in her hands.
Her footsteps slowly disappear down the hallway. Larry remains alone in the living room, staring at the doorway. The decision has changed the family forever.
Larry slowly sits down. His anger begins to fade, leaving behind sadness and uncertainty.
He looks around the quiet house and realizes that the argument has created a moment that none of them will ever forget.
Larry lowers his head, knowing that the path ahead will not be easy.
LARRY
I did what I had to do.
FADE OUT.