The room is quiet except for the soft beeping of the heart monitor.

Bethany lies weakly in the hospital bed, still recovering from everything that brought her there. Her eyes are closed, and exhaustion is written across her face.

Larry sits nearby, tense and protective. He watches every movement, barely taking his eyes off Bethany.

The door slowly opens.

Greg steps inside.

Larry immediately looks up.

His expression changes.

LARRY

What are you doing here?

Greg pauses near the doorway. He looks past Larry toward Bethany.

GREG

I came to see Bethany.

Larry slowly stands. His jaw tightens.

LARRY

You need to leave.

Greg looks confused by Larry’s reaction.

GREG

Larry, I’m not here to cause trouble. I just wanted to know how she’s doing.

Larry takes a step toward him.

LARRY

You heard me. Leave.

Bethany stirs slightly in the bed. The sound of their voices has disturbed her sleep.

She slowly opens her eyes.

BETHANY

Larry…?

Larry immediately turns toward her. His anger fades for a moment.

LARRY

I’m right here.

Bethany looks toward the doorway. Her eyes widen when she sees Greg.

BETHANY

Greg?

GREG

Hey, Bethany.

Larry steps between them. His voice becomes colder.

LARRY

Don’t.

GREG

I just want to talk to her.

LARRY

This isn’t the place for that.

GREG

She’s in the hospital, Larry. Whatever problems you and I have can wait.

Larry’s eyes narrow.

LARRY

Exactly. She’s in the hospital. So why don’t you go back through that door?

Greg takes a breath, trying to remain calm.

GREG

Because I care about her.

Larry lets out a bitter laugh.

LARRY

You care about her?

Greg doesn’t respond immediately. The tension in the room grows heavier.

Bethany watches them both from the bed. She looks exhausted by the confrontation.

BETHANY

Please… don’t argue.

LARRY

I’m not arguing with you.

He looks back at Greg.

LARRY

I’m telling him to leave.

Greg looks at Bethany again.

GREG

Bethany, I only came because I heard you were here.

BETHANY

I understand.

Larry notices the look between them. His frustration rises again.

LARRY

No. This isn’t happening tonight.

GREG

What isn’t happening?

LARRY

You showing up here and acting like you have some right to be by her side.

GREG

I never said I had a right.

Greg glances toward Bethany.

GREG

I said I wanted to make sure she was okay.

LARRY

She’s okay because she’s getting medical care.

GREG

And I’m glad she is.

A brief silence fills the room.

GREG

I hope you get better.

BETHANY

Thank you.

Larry immediately turns toward Greg.

LARRY

That’s enough.

Greg looks back at him.

GREG

Fine.

He starts walking toward the door, then stops.

GREG

But Larry, don’t make this about you.

Larry’s face hardens.

LARRY

Excuse me?

GREG

Bethany is the one lying in that bed. She doesn’t need more stress right now.

Larry clenches his fists.

LARRY

You’re the one bringing stress into this room.

Greg shakes his head.

GREG

I’m leaving because she needs peace.

He looks at Bethany one last time.

GREG

Take care of yourself.

BETHANY

You too.

Greg walks out.

The door closes behind him.

Larry remains standing there. His breathing is heavy.

BETHANY

You didn’t have to be so angry.

Larry slowly turns toward her.

LARRY

He shouldn’t be here.

BETHANY

He came to check on me.

LARRY

And I don’t trust his intentions.

Bethany closes her eyes. She looks tired.

BETHANY

Larry, please.

Larry immediately softens. He walks back toward the bed and sits beside her.

LARRY

Okay.

He takes her hand.

LARRY

I’m sorry.

BETHANY

I just need you to stay calm.

LARRY

I will.

The room becomes quiet again.

Larry looks toward the closed door. His anger hasn’t completely disappeared.

But Bethany’s condition forces him to put it aside.

He gently squeezes her hand.

LARRY

Right now, you’re what matters.

Bethany slowly closes her eyes.

BETHANY

Then just stay with me.

Larry looks at her for a long moment.

LARRY

I’m staying.

The heart monitor continues its steady rhythm.

Larry remains beside her.

Outside the room, Greg walks down the hospital hallway, glancing back once before disappearing around the corner.

Inside, Bethany finally begins to relax.

Larry watches over her in silence.

The tension remains unresolved.

But for tonight, Bethany needs peace more than anything.