INT. BROOKE’S BEDROOM – NIGHT

Soft lamp light. BROOKE sits on her bed, staring at her silent phone. It vibrates. She answers.

BROOKE
(quiet, guarded)
Hello?

JANDEN
(taking a breath)
Brooke… we need to stop pretending. What happened — it wasn’t just you. It wasn’t just me either. It was both of us.

Silence. Heavy.

BROOKE
So now you admit that?

JANDEN
I never said I was innocent. I let my pride talk. You let your anger lead. We both hurt each other.

BROOKE looks down, eyes glistening.

BROOKE
You walked away first.

JANDEN
And you slammed the door behind me.

A fragile pause.

BROOKE
(softening)
So what now?

JANDEN
Now… we accept that we both made mistakes. I’m not calling to blame you. I’m calling to end the blame.

BROOKE
I never wanted us to become strangers.

JANDEN
Neither did I.

The tension eases. They stay on the line — letting go of bitterness.

INT. JABEN’S CAR – NIGHT

Rain taps softly on the windshield. Streetlights blur outside. JABEN scrolls to LARRY’s contact and calls.

INT. LARRY’S LIVING ROOM – NIGHT

Warm light. Family photos line the walls. LARRY answers.

LARRY
Hello?

JABEN
(respectful)
Uncle Larry… it’s me.

JABEN
I’m ready. I’m ready to marry Kailee.

Silence fills the room.

LARRY
You’re sure?

JABEN
I’ve never been more sure. I love her. I want to build my life with her.

LARRY
You’ve grown up, son.

JABEN
I’m trying to.

JABEN
I want you to come. And please… bring Bethany.

LARRY
Then we’ll be there. Both of us.

EXT. PARK – NEXT MORNING

Sunlight spills across green grass. KAILEE stands near a bench. JABEN approaches.

JABEN
Kailee.

KAILEE
You sounded serious.

JABEN
Every moment with you feels perfect.

He kneels.

JABEN
Kailee… will you marry me?

KAILEE
Yes.

They embrace, trembling with joy.

INT. LARRY’S HOUSE – DAY

The door bursts open. JABEN and KAILEE enter smiling.

BETHANY
Well? What happened?

KAILEE lifts her hand — ring shining.

BETHANY
You said yes!

LARRY
I’m proud of you.

BROOKE and JANDEN exchange a peaceful look. No bitterness. Life moving forward.

EXT. LARRY’S BACKYARD – SUNSET

Family gathered. Golden light everywhere.

JANDEN
Looks like everything worked out.

JABEN
Yeah. It did.

LARRY
To new beginnings.

ALL
To new beginnings.

Hope rises as the sun sets.