FADE IN: — INT. LARRY AND BETHANY’S HOUSE – LIVING ROOM – LATE AFTERNOON

The atmosphere inside the house is heavy with tension.

Larry stands near the doorway, his face serious and his arms folded across his chest. He looks exhausted by the constant arguments that have taken over his home. His patience is running dangerously low, and he seems determined not to let another emotional conversation change his mind.

Bethany stands several feet away, staring at him in disbelief. She has spent the last several minutes trying to understand why Larry has become so distant. Every time she approaches him with a question, he responds with frustration. Today, however, Bethany refuses to remain silent.

She takes a deep breath and walks toward him.

Larry, can you please tell me what is going on with you? I have been trying to talk to you, but you keep treating me like I am somebody you don’t even know.

Bethany, I don’t want to do this right now.

You don’t want to do this right now? That’s what you always say! Every time I try to have a conversation with you, you find a reason to walk away.

Because every conversation turns into an argument. I’m tired of going around in circles with you.

I’m trying to understand you! Is that such a terrible thing? I’m your wife, Larry. I’m supposed to be able to talk to you.

Being my wife doesn’t mean we have to argue every single day.

So that’s how you see me now? Every time I open my mouth, I’m just somebody you’re tired of listening to?

INT. LIVING ROOM – MOMENTS LATER

Bethany moves closer to Larry, searching his face for any sign of the man she once felt comfortable sharing everything with. Now, standing in front of him, she feels as though she is speaking to a stranger.

Larry, look at me. Why are you treating me like this? What have I done to make you act like you can’t stand being around me? If something is bothering you, tell me. If you’re angry with me, explain why. But don’t stand here and make me feel like I mean absolutely nothing to you.

You want to know why I’m acting this way? Because I’m tired, Bethany! I’m tired of the stress, the arguments, and the constant pressure.

And what about me? Do you think I’m not tired? Do you think this situation hasn’t been hurting me, too?

Then maybe you should understand that I can’t keep living like this!

The room falls silent. Bethany takes a small step backward.

I never asked you to be perfect. I never expected us to agree on everything. I just wanted you to treat me with respect.

I don’t know what else you want from me.

I want my husband back!

I can’t keep doing this.

Doing what, Larry? Being married to me? Do you even want this marriage anymore?

Maybe you need to start thinking about what happens if we don’t have one.

What is that supposed to mean?

It means I’m tired of pretending everything is going to be okay when it clearly isn’t.

INT. LIVING ROOM – CONTINUOUS

Bethany wipes at the corner of her eye before a tear can fall. She refuses to let the conversation end without getting an honest answer.

You keep saying you’re tired. You’re tired of arguing, tired of talking, tired of everything. But have you ever stopped to think about how you make me feel? You walk around this house like I’m the biggest problem in your life. You barely talk to me, and when I ask you what’s wrong, you get angry. What am I supposed to do? Just sit here and pretend that none of this hurts?

I’m not asking you to pretend anything.

Then give me an answer! I want to know whether you still love me. I want to know whether you even care about saving this marriage.

The question hangs between them. Larry looks toward the window. Bethany waits, hoping he will admit that they can still work things out.

Bethany, I think we need to stop forcing something that isn’t working.

So that’s it? You’re just giving up?

I’m telling you how I feel.

No, you’re telling me that you’re tired of me! You don’t have to say it directly, Larry. Your actions already tell me everything.

Then why do you keep asking me the same questions?

Because I’m your wife! Because I thought our marriage meant enough to you that you would at least try to understand me!

And what about what this marriage has been doing to me? Do you think I enjoy coming home to another argument?

Then talk to me without attacking me! You want me to understand your feelings, but you don’t want to hear mine.

THE ARGUMENT REACHES A BREAKING POINT

Larry turns toward the hallway. Bethany steps into his path, desperate for a clear answer.

I’m done arguing.

No, you’re not walking away again. Not until you tell me what you really want.

Move, Bethany.

Not until you answer me.

I said move.

Bethany slowly steps aside. Larry starts to walk past her, but her voice stops him.

You know what? Sometimes I wonder if you even care what happens to me.

Don’t do that.

Do what? Tell you how I feel? You make me feel unwanted, and then you get angry when I ask you why!

Bethany, I cannot keep living like this!

Then tell me what you want me to do!

Larry looks directly into her eyes. His next words change everything.

If you’re so unhappy with me, I’ll give you a divorce myself.

SILENCE. Bethany stares at him, unable to believe what she has just heard.

What did you just say?

You heard me.

You’re really going to stand here and tell me that you’ll give me a divorce?

If that’s what it takes for us to stop putting each other through this, then yes.

I didn’t ask you for a divorce, Larry. I asked you why you were treating me like this!

INT. LIVING ROOM – A FEW MINUTES LATER

The argument quiets, but the tension remains. Bethany sits on the edge of the couch, staring at the carpet. Larry stands near the doorway, exhausted by the conflict and unaware of how deeply his words have hurt her.

I wanted you to talk to me. I wanted you to tell me what was happening in your head. I wanted to know why everything between us had changed. And you think the answer is to end our marriage?

I think we both need to face the reality of what’s happening.

No. I think you’re using the divorce word because you know it will hurt me.

Don’t tell me what I’m thinking.

Then tell me I’m wrong!

Larry remains silent. Bethany’s tears finally fall.

Do you remember when we first got together? We used to talk about everything. We used to make plans together. Even when we disagreed, I never thought you would look me in the eyes and tell me you wanted to divorce me.

It’s not that simple, Bethany.

Then explain it to me. Please. For once, stop being angry long enough to explain what you want.

I don’t know how many more times we can go through the same thing.

Neither do I. But I do know that threatening me with divorce isn’t going to fix anything. If you want this marriage to end, then be honest about that. Don’t keep me here wondering whether the man I love is going to walk away every time we have a disagreement.

INT. LIVING ROOM – EARLY EVENING

The light outside begins to fade. Bethany stands by the window, folding her arms across her chest. Larry watches her from the couch.

I don’t want every conversation to turn into a fight.

And I don’t want to feel like I have to beg my own husband to listen to me.

I need some peace, Bethany.

And I need to feel like I’m still part of your life. You keep talking about what you can’t take anymore. But what about what we could change? Have you even thought about that?

I’ve thought about it.

Then why does divorce sound like your only answer?

Because I don’t know what else to do.

Then say that, Larry. Tell me you don’t know what to do. Tell me you’re frustrated. Tell me you need space. But don’t make me feel like our entire marriage means nothing to you.

Larry looks down. For a brief moment, he seems to recognize the difference between expressing frustration and using words that could permanently change their relationship.

I can’t promise you that everything will be okay.

I’m not asking you to promise that. I’m asking you to stop treating me like the enemy. If we’re going to have a future together, we need to be able to talk without tearing each other apart.

Bethany takes a breath and continues.

And if we can’t fix this on our own, then maybe we need help. But I cannot be the only person trying to save something that belongs to both of us.

I need time to think.

Take your time. But understand something, Larry. I won’t spend the rest of my life begging someone to tell me whether he wants me in it.

THE PAINFUL AFTERMATH

Bethany walks past Larry toward the hallway. He turns to watch her leave.

Bethany, wait.

She stops but does not turn around. Larry struggles to find the right words.

I didn’t want this conversation to end like this.

Neither did I.

She disappears down the hallway. Larry remains alone in the living room. The house is finally quiet, but the silence feels heavier than the argument that came before it.

He looks toward the hallway where Bethany disappeared, then lowers himself onto the couch. His words keep replaying in his mind: “I’ll give you a divorce myself.” He had said them in anger, but now he must face the damage they have caused.

Across the house, Bethany closes the bedroom door and sits on the edge of the bed. She looks down at her wedding ring, remembering the promises they once made to each other.

She does not know whether Larry truly wants their marriage to end. What frightens her most is that he may not know either.

FADE OUT.