Nd ) BROOKE CONFRONTS BETHANY — WHAT REALLY HAPPENED AT COUNSELING?

Bethany thought she was finally taking control of her life, but Brooke’s unexpected arrival turns everything into a nightmare! The front door slowly opens. Bethany walks inside, holding her purse and looking emotionally exhausted. She has just returned from her counseling session. Her face shows that the meeting was not easy, but there is also a sense of relief in her eyes.

Larry is sitting on the couch, looking at his phone. When he notices Bethany, he puts it down and looks at her. LARRY: Well, look who’s finally home. How did everything go? Was the counseling session helpful? Bethany places her purse on the nearby table and takes a deep breath. BETHANY: Honestly, Larry, I don’t even know where to begin. There was so much discussed today. I went there thinking I would only talk about a few things, but the conversation turned into something much bigger.

Larry sits forward, showing interest. LARRY: What happened? Did the counselor say something that surprised you? Bethany gives him a small smile. BETHANY: You know what? Before I tell you anything, let me ask you something. Do you actually want to know what you missed while I was away? Larry looks confused. LARRY: Of course I do. Why wouldn’t I? You’re my wife, and whatever happens in your life affects me too.

Bethany shakes her head slightly. BETHANY: That’s what I wanted to hear. Because today I talked about things that I have been keeping inside for a very long time. Things that I couldn’t explain properly before. LARRY: Then tell me. I’m listening. Bethany sits across from him. BETHANY: The counselor asked me whether I was truly happy. Not whether I was pretending to be happy, not whether I was trying to make everyone else comfortable, but whether I was actually happy with the way my life was going.

Larry’s expression changes. LARRY: And what did you tell her? BETHANY: I told her that I have spent so much time worrying about everybody else’s feelings that sometimes I forget about my own. I told her that I don’t want to keep living like every decision I make needs somebody else’s approval. Larry looks down for a moment. LARRY: So this is about me too? BETHANY: It’s about our marriage, Larry. It’s about communication, respect, and understanding. I didn’t go there to blame you. I went there because I wanted to understand myself.

Larry nods slowly. LARRY: I understand. Maybe we both need to work on some things. Bethany looks at him with a little hope. BETHANY: That’s exactly what I wanted you to say. Suddenly, the doorbell rings. Both of them turn toward the entrance.

Larry gets up and walks toward the door. When he opens it, Brooke is standing outside. She walks in without wasting any time. Her expression is serious, and she immediately notices Bethany sitting in the living room. BROOKE: So, you’re back. Bethany looks at her. BETHANY: Yes, Brooke. I just got home. Brooke crosses her arms. BROOKE: I heard you went somewhere today. Is it true that you went to counseling?

Bethany looks surprised by the question. BETHANY: Yes, I went to counseling. What’s the problem? Brooke lets out a frustrated laugh. BROOKE: What’s the problem? Bethany, are you serious right now? Why did you go there? What happened that made you feel like you needed counseling? Larry steps closer. LARRY: Brooke, she just got home. Can we please have a normal conversation?

Brooke ignores him. BROOKE: No, Larry. I want to understand what’s going on. Why is everybody making decisions without talking to the family first? Bethany slowly stands up. BETHANY: Excuse me? Since when do I need permission from everybody to attend counseling? BROOKE: You don’t need permission, but you should have talked to your father before making that decision! Bethany’s eyes widen. BETHANY: And why exactly should I have to do that? This is my life, Brooke. I have the right to make my own decisions.

Brooke shakes her head. BROOKE: That’s not how things work when your decisions affect everyone around you. BETHANY: Going to counseling is not hurting anybody! I am trying to make my life better. Why can’t you understand that? Brooke steps closer. BROOKE: Because I know how these things start. First, somebody goes to counseling, then they start believing everybody around them is the problem.

Bethany looks directly into her eyes. BETHANY: Maybe the problem is that you cannot accept that I am finally speaking up for myself. Larry looks between the two women. LARRY: Ladies, please. We don’t need to turn this into an argument. Brooke walks toward the center of the living room. Her voice becomes louder. BROOKE: Bethany, I am trying to protect this family. You keep making choices without considering what anybody else thinks.

BETHANY: Protect this family? Or control everybody in it? Brooke looks offended. BROOKE: Watch your mouth! BETHANY: No, you watch how you speak to me! I am tired of being questioned every time I do something for myself. Larry raises his hands. LARRY: That’s enough. Both of you need to calm down. But neither woman is ready to back down.

BROOKE: You know what, Bethany? Sometimes I think you enjoy creating problems and then acting like everybody is against you. Bethany laughs bitterly. BETHANY: That’s interesting coming from you. You show up here, start questioning me, and then somehow I’m the one creating problems? BROOKE: Because somebody needs to ask the questions that nobody else is willing to ask!

BETHANY: Then ask them! But don’t come into my house acting like you have authority over my life. Brooke points toward Bethany. BROOKE: You think one counseling session suddenly makes you an expert on everything? BETHANY: No! But it helped me realize that I don’t have to tolerate disrespect just to keep everybody happy.

Larry moves closer to Bethany. LARRY: Bethany, please. Let her finish. Bethany turns toward him. BETHANY: Larry, I’ve been listening to everybody for years. Today, I just want somebody to listen to me. Larry becomes quiet. Brooke notices his silence and turns toward him. BROOKE: And you’re just going to stand there and let her talk to me like that?

LARRY: I’m not taking sides. I’m trying to keep this conversation from getting worse. BROOKE: Well, maybe you should start asking yourself why she suddenly needs counseling. Bethany takes a step forward. BETHANY: I don’t have to explain my personal decisions to you! The atmosphere becomes increasingly tense. Brooke and Bethany are now standing face-to-face. Their voices overlap as both try to make their points.

Larry quickly steps between them. LARRY: That’s enough! Both of you need to calm down right now! He places himself between the women and gently gestures for Brooke to step back. BROOKE: Move, Larry! I’m not finished talking to her! LARRY: You can talk without getting in her face!

Bethany tries to move around him. BETHANY: No, let her say whatever she wants. I want to hear what she has to say! Larry turns toward Bethany. LARRY: And I want you to take a breath. This conversation is going nowhere. Brooke shakes her head angrily. BROOKE: You always do this! Every time there’s a problem, you try to make everybody quiet instead of finding out what’s really happening.

LARRY: Because right now, neither of you is listening to the other! Bethany folds her arms. BETHANY: I’m listening, Larry. I’m just not agreeing with everything she says. BROOKE: That’s because you don’t want to hear the truth! Bethany immediately responds. BETHANY: Then tell me the truth! What exactly are you so afraid of?

Brooke pauses. For a brief moment, her expression changes. Larry notices it. LARRY: Brooke? What is that supposed to mean? Brooke looks away. BROOKE: Nothing. Forget it. BETHANY: No, you brought it up. Now finish what you started.

Brooke takes a few steps away from Bethany. Her anger begins to mix with frustration and something that looks like fear. BROOKE: You really want to know why I’m upset? Fine. I’ll tell you. Larry looks concerned. LARRY: Brooke, think carefully before you say anything.

Brooke turns toward him. BROOKE: Why? Are you afraid of what I’m going to reveal? Bethany looks confused. BETHANY: What are you talking about? Brooke looks directly at Bethany. BROOKE: You think I came here just because you went to counseling? No. There’s something else going on, and I don’t think you know the whole story.

Bethany’s expression becomes serious. BETHANY: What story? Brooke glances at Larry before answering. BROOKE: I heard something about that counseling session. Something that makes me question whether you were really there just to work on yourself. Larry immediately reacts. LARRY: Where did you hear that?

Brooke doesn’t answer immediately. BETHANY: Brooke, stop playing games. If somebody told you something, then say it! Brooke takes a deep breath. BROOKE: I heard that your counselor asked questions about your marriage, your family, and some decisions that were made behind your back. Bethany looks at Larry. BETHANY: Of course she did. That’s what counseling is for. What is so shocking about that?

Brooke shakes her head. BROOKE: You don’t understand. I’m not talking about ordinary questions. I’m talking about something specific that was supposedly discussed during that meeting. Larry’s face becomes tense. LARRY: Brooke, who told you that? Brooke looks at him. BROOKE: That’s not important right now.

LARRY: It is important! Because I want to know why you’re coming into this house making accusations. Bethany steps closer. BETHANY: Wait a minute. Are you saying somebody has been discussing my private counseling session with you? Brooke remains silent. Bethany’s expression changes from anger to disbelief. BETHANY: How would anybody even know what happened in that room?

Larry walks toward Brooke. LARRY: I think you need to explain exactly what you know. Don’t come here with half a story and expect everybody to believe you. Brooke looks at him with frustration. BROOKE: You want an explanation? Fine. But before I tell you everything, I need Bethany to answer one question. Bethany folds her arms. BETHANY: Go ahead.

BROOKE: Did the counselor ask you whether somebody in your family was hiding something from you? Bethany freezes. Larry looks at her. LARRY: Bethany? Bethany slowly turns toward him. BETHANY: Yes. She asked me something like that. But why are you both acting like that’s some kind of crime?

Brooke’s eyes widen. BROOKE: So it’s true. BETHANY: What is true? Brooke looks toward Larry again. BROOKE: I knew it. I knew there was something happening that nobody wanted to talk about. Larry raises his voice. LARRY: Brooke! Enough with the hints! Tell us what you know!

Brooke finally takes out her phone. BROOKE: I didn’t want to bring this up today, but after hearing that Bethany went to counseling, I realized I couldn’t keep quiet anymore. Bethany looks at the phone. BETHANY: What’s on there? BROOKE: A message. And I think both of you need to see it.

Larry becomes visibly uncomfortable. LARRY: Where did you get that message? Brooke looks at him carefully. BROOKE: That’s exactly what I was hoping you wouldn’t ask. Bethany turns toward Larry. BETHANY: Why? Do you know something about this? Larry doesn’t respond. The silence in the room becomes unbearable.

Brooke unlocks her phone. Bethany moves closer, trying to see the screen. BETHANY: Just show me what you’re talking about. Brooke holds the phone tightly. BROOKE: Before I show you, I need you to promise me that you’re going to listen to the entire thing. Because once you see it, you might never look at this family the same way again.

Bethany looks shocked. BETHANY: You’re making this sound much bigger than it needs to be. BROOKE: Maybe because you don’t know what I’ve discovered. Larry steps forward. LARRY: Brooke, don’t do this. We can discuss everything privately. Bethany immediately turns toward him. BETHANY: Privately? Why does this need to be private? What are you trying to hide?

Larry looks at Bethany but struggles to find the right words. LARRY: I’m not hiding anything. I just don’t want this situation to get out of control. BROOKE: It’s already out of control, Larry! Brooke finally turns the phone toward Bethany. But just before Bethany can read the message, Brooke says something that leaves both Bethany and Larry completely speechless.

BROOKE: The person who gave me this information wasn’t a stranger, Bethany. It was someone who knows exactly what happened before you ever walked into that counseling office. And that person told me that your counseling session wasn’t the only thing you needed to worry about. Bethany’s eyes fill with confusion. BETHANY: Who? Who told you?

Brooke looks straight at Larry. BROOKE: Ask your husband. He might know why your name was mentioned in that message. Larry’s face goes pale. Bethany slowly turns toward him. BETHANY: Larry… what is she talking about? Larry opens his mouth, but no words come out.

Brooke looks down at her phone one more time. BROOKE: And there’s one more thing you need to know. The message says that somebody has been keeping a secret from you for a very long time. Bethany ta