SCENE 1: BROOKE’S HOUSE — THE HEARTBREAKING TRUTH

The afternoon sun shines through the windows. Brooke sits on the couch, staring at her phone. A knock interrupts her thoughts.

Destiny enters and immediately notices that something is wrong.

DESTINY

Girl, what’s going on with you? I’ve been trying to reach you, but you barely answer your phone.

BROOKE

Nothing. I’m just tired.

DESTINY

Don’t do that with me, Brooke. I know you. You look like somebody broke your heart. Talk to me.

Brooke looks away, trying to hold back her emotions.

BROOKE

It’s Isaiah. Everything has changed since Mariah came into the picture.

DESTINY

Mariah? What does she have to do with Isaiah?

BROOKE

She’s the reason he barely talks to me anymore. He ignores my calls and my messages, but somehow he always has time for her.

Destiny’s expression changes as she realizes how serious the situation has become.

DESTINY

Are you telling me he’s been avoiding you while spending time with Mariah?

BROOKE

Yes. And there’s something even worse. Mariah is pregnant, and Isaiah is the father.

Destiny falls silent, struggling to process the news.

DESTINY

Brooke, are you serious? He got another woman pregnant while you believed you were still together?

BROOKE

I wish I were making this up. He hasn’t even given me a proper explanation. I’m left wondering what happened to everything we had.

DESTINY

You are not foolish for trusting somebody you loved. You deserve honesty and respect.

Destiny hugs her cousin. But behind her comforting words, she knows they need answers.

SCENE 2: THE COUSINS MAKE A PLAN

The two cousins sit at the kitchen table. Brooke wipes her eyes while Destiny tries to help her think clearly.

DESTINY

Have you tried talking to Mariah face-to-face?

BROOKE

I tried, but she changes the subject or acts like I’m bothering her.

DESTINY

Then let’s go talk to her together. We can ask her what happened and give her a chance to tell the truth.

BROOKE

What if she lies to us?

DESTINY

At least we’ll know we tried to handle this properly. You deserve answers, Brooke.

Brooke takes a deep breath and slowly nods.

BROOKE

All right. Let’s go. I’m tired of sitting here wondering what’s going on.

DESTINY

But promise me you’ll keep your cool. We are going there to talk, not to start a fight.

BROOKE

I promise I’ll try.

The cousins grab their belongings and head toward the door, unaware of how quickly their plan will fall apart.

SCENE 3: ON THE WAY TO MARIAH’S HOUSE

As they travel, Brooke keeps looking at her phone. There is still no message from Isaiah.

BROOKE

He hasn’t called me once today. How can somebody act like you don’t exist after everything you’ve shared?

DESTINY

I know you’re hurt. But don’t let your anger make decisions for you. Ask your questions and listen to what she says.

BROOKE

Do you think Mariah even cares about what she’s done?

DESTINY

I don’t know. That’s why we’re going to speak to her.

Brooke locks her phone and puts it away.

BROOKE

I’m ready. I just want the truth.

Destiny nods, hoping that their conversation will remain peaceful. Neither cousin realizes that Mariah may have secrets of her own.

SCENE 4: MARIAH’S HOUSE — THE ARGUMENT BEGINS

The cousins arrive and knock on the door. Mariah opens it, surprised to see them standing together.

MARIAH

Well, look at this. What brings both of you over here?

DESTINY

We need to talk to you about Isaiah.

MARIAH

If this is about Isaiah, I don’t have time for another dramatic conversation.

BROOKE

You have plenty of time for him, though. You knew about our relationship, and now he’s spending all his time with you.

MARIAH

Maybe you should ask Isaiah why he doesn’t want to spend time with you anymore.

Brooke stares at Mariah, hurt by her response.

BROOKE

You really think this is funny?

MARIAH

I didn’t say that. But I don’t owe you an explanation about my personal life.

DESTINY

We’re not here to disrespect you. Brooke deserves some honest answers. Did you know Isaiah was in a relationship with her?

Mariah pauses, then folds her arms.

MARIAH

This is between me and Isaiah. You both need to mind your business.

DESTINY

Brooke is my cousin. If she’s hurting, I’m going to stand beside her.

MARIAH

Then maybe your family should teach her how to keep a man.

Brooke’s expression changes instantly. Destiny steps forward, trying to prevent the argument from getting worse.

BROOKE

How dare you talk to me like that?

MARIAH

If you don’t like what I’m saying, there’s the door!

SCENE 5: THE CONFRONTATION TURNS PHYSICAL

Mariah raises her voice. Brooke’s anger grows, and Destiny tries one last time to calm everyone down.

DESTINY

Mariah, nobody came here to fight. We came here to have a conversation.

MARIAH

Then you should have stayed home! I’m not explaining myself to either of you!

BROOKE

You keep disrespecting me, and you expect me to stand here quietly?

MARIAH

Get out of my house!

Brooke suddenly reaches for Mariah’s hair in anger. Mariah struggles to pull away and shouts for her to stop.

MARIAH

Get your hands off me!

Destiny rushes forward to separate them, but the struggle pulls her into the confrontation too. The argument becomes a chaotic fight, with all three women shouting over one another.

BROOKE

You should have thought about all this before getting involved with Isaiah!

MARIAH

You have no right to put your hands on me!

DESTINY

Everybody stop! This has gone too far!

Destiny finally manages to create some distance between Brooke and Mariah.

DESTINY

Brooke, step back. We came here for answers, not to end up fighting.

BROOKE

I’m tired of her acting like my feelings mean nothing!

MARIAH

Then leave my house and never come back!

Destiny takes Brooke by the arm and guides her toward the exit.

DESTINY

Come on. We’re leaving now.

Brooke reluctantly follows her cousin. Mariah watches them leave, furious and shaken by everything that has happened.

MARIAH

Don’t think this is over!

DESTINY

The next time we talk, I hope we can do it without all this drama.

The door closes behind them. The cousins leave without the answers they came to find.

SCENE 6: OUTSIDE — BROOKE CALLS ISAIAH

Outside Mariah’s house, Brooke stands beside the car, trying to calm herself. Destiny looks at her with concern.

DESTINY

Are you okay?

BROOKE

I thought talking to her would make me feel better. Now I feel even worse.

DESTINY

You wanted her to understand how much this hurt you. But fighting won’t fix your relationship with Isaiah.

BROOKE

I just wanted the truth. That’s all I’ve been asking for.

DESTINY

Then talk to the person who owes you the clearest explanation. Call Isaiah.

Brooke takes out her phone and calls him. The phone rings several times before the call goes to voicemail.

BROOKE

He didn’t answer.

DESTINY

You can’t control what Isaiah does, but you can decide what you’re willing to accept.

Brooke looks down at her phone. Meanwhile, inside the house, Mariah picks up her own phone and calls Isaiah.

SCENE 7: MARIAH’S CALL — A SHOCKING SECRET

Mariah paces across the living room, still angry about the confrontation. She finds Isaiah’s number and calls him.

ISAIAH (ON THE PHONE)

Hey, Mariah. What’s going on?

MARIAH

We have a problem. Brooke and Destiny just came over here. They were asking questions about us, and things got out of control.

ISAIAH (ON THE PHONE)

What do you mean, things got out of control?

MARIAH

They both started arguing with me. Brooke got angry, and then Destiny got involved. Now I’m wondering how much they know.

ISAIAH (ON THE PHONE)

I’ll talk to Brooke and figure this out.

MARIAH

You need to do more than that. If Brooke finds out everything, this could become a much bigger problem.

Isaiah falls silent. Mariah immediately notices his hesitation.

MARIAH

Isaiah? What haven’t you told me?

ISAIAH (ON THE PHONE)

There’s something about Brooke that you don’t know. Something I was hoping would never come out.

Mariah stops pacing. Her confident expression disappears.

MARIAH

What secret? Isaiah, you need to tell me right now!

Before Isaiah can explain, another call appears on Mariah’s phone. She looks at the name on the screen and freezes.

ISAIAH (ON THE PHONE)

Mariah? Who is calling you?

Mariah answers the incoming call. A voice on the other end says something that makes her face turn pale.

MARIAH

What? How did you find out about that?

She looks toward the closed front door, then grips her phone tightly.

MARIAH

Isaiah, I think we have a much bigger problem than Brooke and Destiny.

ISAIAH (ON THE PHONE)

What are you talking about? Tell me what’s happening!

MARIAH

You need to get here right now. There’s something you need to see.

Mariah ends the call. Outside, Brooke and Destiny are already driving away, unaware that a shocking revelation is about to change everything.