The podcast studio is unusually quiet.

The cameras are ready. The microphones are positioned around the table. Wayne stands near the center of the room, laughing and talking with New Queen.

The atmosphere changes when the studio door suddenly opens.

YaYa walks in.

She stops.

Her smile disappears when she notices Wayne giving New Queen his full attention.

NEW QUEEN

Wayne, you really know how to make somebody feel welcome.

She laughs softly.

Wayne smiles, clearly enjoying the conversation.

WAYNE

I’m just being myself. You know I like good energy around me.

New Queen smiles.

Wayne continues their playful conversation.

Then YaYa slowly walks farther into the room.

Her eyes stay fixed on Wayne.

YAYA

Wayne?

Wayne turns around.

His expression immediately changes.

The room becomes silent.

WAYNE

YaYa… what are you doing here?

YaYa looks from Wayne to New Queen.

YAYA

I came back because I thought we still had something worth fighting for.

She pauses.

YAYA: But apparently, I was wrong.

New Queen looks uncomfortable and takes a small step backward.

NEW QUEEN

I didn’t know you two were having problems.

YAYA

It’s not your fault.

YaYa turns toward Wayne.

YAYA

I just expected more from you.

WAYNE

YaYa, this is my podcast. You can’t just walk in here and start making accusations.

YaYa’s eyes widen.

YAYA

Accusations?

She points toward Wayne and New Queen.

YAYA: I literally watched you flirting with her.

Wayne looks irritated.

WAYNE

And?

The single word hits YaYa hard.

She becomes quiet.

WAYNE

YaYa, you need to leave. You don’t have any business being here right now.

YaYa stares at him in disbelief.

YAYA

You really want me to leave?

Wayne doesn’t answer immediately.

YaYa takes his silence as her answer.

She slowly nods.

YAYA

Then I’m leaving. But I’m not leaving because you told me to. I’m leaving because I finally understand where I stand in your life.

Wayne watches her.

For a moment, he looks like he might say something.

But he remains silent.

YaYa grabs her purse.

YAYA

I gave you my trust. I gave you chances. But I won’t keep standing somewhere I’m not respected.

YaYa walks toward the door.

Before leaving, she turns around one final time.

YAYA

I gave you my trust, Wayne. But I won’t keep accepting disrespect.

She opens the door.

YAYA

We’re done, Wayne.

She walks out.

The door closes behind her.

The studio becomes completely silent.

NEW QUEEN

You didn’t have to treat her like that.

Wayne sighs.

WAYNE

She made her choice.

New Queen shakes her head.

NEW QUEEN

No. You made yours.

Wayne looks toward the door where YaYa disappeared.

YaYa walks down the hallway.

She wipes away her tears and keeps moving.

She doesn’t look back.

YAYA

I can’t keep chasing someone who doesn’t appreciate me.

She takes a deep breath.

YAYA

Sometimes walking away is the only way to protect your peace.

Back inside the podcast studio, Wayne tries to continue his conversation with New Queen.

WAYNE

I just want you to know that I enjoy being around you.

NEW QUEEN

Wayne, slow down.

She gives him a serious look.

NEW QUEEN

You need to figure out what you actually want before trying to pull somebody else into your situation.

Wayne becomes quiet.

He looks toward the empty chair where YaYa had been sitting earlier.

The realization finally begins to sink in.

He may have pushed away someone who truly cared about him.

WAYNE

Maybe I handled everything wrong.

NEW QUEEN

Then maybe that’s where you should start.

Wayne sits down.

The podcast lights remain on, but nobody speaks.

THE END

Outside, YaYa is already far away.

She has made her decision.

She won’t return to the same situation.

She won’t accept being disrespected.

And she won’t allow someone else’s choices to determine her happiness.

FADE OUT.