Lauren’s House — Evening
The house is quiet, but Lauren is visibly exhausted. She walks from one room to another, trying to calm herself after everything that has happened with Dan.
Then suddenly— BANG! BANG! BANG! Someone pounds on the front door. Lauren freezes. She slowly turns toward the door, already knowing who it is.
LAUREN: Dan… please, just leave me alone.
The knocking gets louder. Dan’s voice comes from outside.
DAN: Lauren! Open the door! We need to talk!
Lauren takes a deep breath. She refuses to go near the door.
LAUREN: There is nothing left to talk about. You need to go.
Dan ignores her. The door handle suddenly moves. Lauren’s eyes widen. Dan is trying to get inside.
DAN: Lauren, I know you’re in there!
Lauren backs away from the door. Her patience is finally gone.
LAUREN: I told you to leave!
Dan continues trying to force his way inside. Lauren immediately grabs her phone. Her hands are shaking, but her voice is firm. She dials the police.
LAUREN: Hello? I need help. Someone is trying to get into my house.
She looks toward the door as Dan continues banging.
LAUREN: Yes, his name is Dan. He won’t leave me alone, and now he’s trying to get inside.
Lauren steps farther away from the entrance.
LAUREN: Please send officers here as soon as possible.
She ends the call. For the first time, Lauren feels like she has taken control of the situation.
Outside the House — Moments Later
Dan is still outside. He paces around the front entrance, growing increasingly frustrated. Then— SIRENS ECHO IN THE DISTANCE. Dan looks toward the street. A police vehicle pulls up outside Lauren’s house. Two officers quickly step out. Dan immediately becomes nervous.
OFFICER: Sir, step away from the house.
Dan looks at the officers in disbelief.
DAN: This is between me and Lauren. You don’t need to get involved.
The officers move closer.
OFFICER: She called us because she does not want you here. You need to leave the property.
Dan shakes his head.
DAN: I just need to talk to her!
The officer remains calm but firm.
OFFICER: You have been told to leave. Step away from the door.
Dan hesitates. Lauren watches everything from inside the house. She looks frightened, but she knows she made the right decision.
Outside the House — Continuous
Dan suddenly tries to move toward the entrance again. The officers immediately stop him.
OFFICER: Sir, stop!
Dan argues with them.
DAN: Get your hands off me! I haven’t done anything!
The officers take control of the situation and bring Dan down to the ground. Dan struggles against the officers’ commands.
DAN: Lauren! Tell them to let me go!
Lauren slowly opens the front door. She stays at a safe distance. She looks directly at Dan. There is no sympathy left in her expression.
LAUREN: I already told you to leave me alone.
Dan stares at her.
DAN: Lauren, please! Just listen to me!
Lauren shakes her head.
LAUREN: No. I’ve listened enough.
The officers place Dan under arrest. Dan realizes that this time, Lauren is serious.
Outside the House — Continuous
One officer helps Dan to his feet while keeping him under control.
DAN: You really called the police on me?
Lauren doesn’t hesitate.
LAUREN: Yes, I did.
Dan looks shocked.
DAN: After everything we’ve been through?
Lauren’s expression hardens.
LAUREN: After everything you’ve put me through, I had no other choice.
The officer tells Dan to cooperate.
OFFICER: Let’s go.
Dan turns toward Lauren one last time.
DAN: Lauren, you’re making a mistake!
Lauren steps back. She doesn’t respond immediately. Then she finally speaks.
LAUREN: The mistake was letting you keep coming back.
Dan goes silent. The officers begin escorting him toward the police vehicle. Lauren watches from the doorway. Her anger slowly turns into relief.
Lauren’s House — Night
The police vehicle waits near the curb. Dan is taken toward it. Lauren stands on her porch, watching. One officer briefly turns toward her.
OFFICER: Are you okay?
Lauren nods.
LAUREN: I will be now.
She looks toward Dan. He is still trying to get her attention.
DAN: Lauren! Please!
Lauren doesn’t move. She has finally reached her limit.
LAUREN: Take him away.
The officer nods. Lauren’s voice becomes colder.
LAUREN: And put him in jail.
Dan looks stunned. The officers continue escorting him away. Lauren watches until he is inside the police vehicle. The door closes. SLAM. The vehicle begins to pull away. Lauren finally exhales. She looks around her quiet home. For the first time in a long time, she feels safe. She slowly closes the front door.
Inside the House — Continuous
Lauren locks the door. She leans against it for a moment, gathering herself. Her phone is still in her hand. She looks down at it. There are several missed calls and messages from Dan. Lauren stares at the screen. Then she makes a decision. She blocks his number.
LAUREN: No more.
She puts the phone down. The house becomes completely silent. Lauren walks toward the living room and sits down. Her breathing finally slows. She looks toward the window. The police lights disappear in the distance. Lauren wipes away a tear and takes a deep breath. She knows the situation won’t be easy. But tonight, she finally stood up for herself.
Later That Night
The street is quiet again. Lauren’s house stands peacefully under the night sky. Inside, Lauren turns off the lights one by one. She walks toward her bedroom. Before leaving the room, she looks back toward the front door. The same door Dan tried to force his way through earlier. Lauren shakes her head.
LAUREN: It’s over.
She turns off the final light. The screen fades to black.
Locking a door is easy. Believing it will stay locked is the hardest part of starting over.