Kho) Seeing Bethany back, Purnell angrily tells Larry, “I told you to divorce her. Do it now.”

FOR MY SAKE

INT. LARRY'S LIVING ROOM – DAY

The front door opens slowly.

PURNELL steps inside the house carrying a folder under his arm. He looks calm and professional, expecting nothing unusual.

The house is quiet.

He glances around the room.

Suddenly, his eyes land on someone sitting near the fireplace.

BETHANY.

For a moment, PURNELL freezes. His expression changes instantly from surprise to disbelief.

PURNELL

Bethany?

BETHANY

Hello, Purnell.

Purnell's eyes widen. He turns toward Larry. The shock quickly transforms into anger.

PURNELL

What is she doing here?

LARRY

She's back.

PURNELL

Back?
You mean living here again?

Purnell clenches his jaw.

PURNELL

You've got to be kidding me.

BETHANY

I have every right to be here.

PURNELL

After everything that happened?
After all the problems?
You allowed her back into this house?

LARRY

It's not that simple.

PURNELL

It is exactly that simple.
I warned you before.
I told you what needed to be done.

The tension in the room rises.

BETHANY

Maybe nobody asked for your opinion.

PURNELL

And maybe somebody should have.
Because every time you walk back into Larry's life, trouble follows.

BETHANY

That's not true.

PURNELL

Really?
Then explain why this family has been falling apart for years.

LARRY

Enough.
Nobody is fighting today.

PURNELL

You still don't see it.
That's your problem.

PURNELL POINTS TOWARD BETHANY

PURNELL

I told you before to divorce Bethany.
Now she's living in your house again.
You need to divorce her as soon as possible.

Bethany's face turns pale. The words hit her like a slap.

BETHANY

How dare you.

PURNELL

I'm not here to spare feelings.
I'm here to protect my friend.

BETHANY

You don't know anything about us.

PURNELL

I know enough. I've watched Larry suffer for years.

BETHANY

Larry...

LARRY

That's enough, Purnell.

PURNELL

Why?
Because the truth makes everyone uncomfortable?

LARRY

Because this is my life.
My marriage.
My decision.
Not yours.

PURNELL

Then tell me something honestly.
Do you trust her?

Larry hesitates. The hesitation speaks louder than any answer.

BETHANY

Larry... Do you?

LARRY

I want to.

Bethany's eyes fill with tears.

PURNELL

Wanting to trust someone and actually trusting them are two different things.

Purnell picks up his folder and walks toward the door.

PURNELL

Think carefully, Larry.
You still have a chance to protect yourself.
Don't ignore the warning signs.

PURNELL

Sometimes the hardest decision is the right one.

The door closes behind him. Silence fills the room. Outside, rain begins to fall. Inside, the future of Larry and Bethany's marriage hangs by a fragile thread.

FADE OUT.