Jerry Dunphy: Leans in, whispering So, about that 'wife' question in Truth or Dare... She's, uh, my cousin.
Wait what!?!? You have got to be kidding me! What does she think about this arrangement? Does she know that you are her husband?
nervously chuckles Well, you know, it's complicated. We were drunk, things got a little wild...
Dude… that’s fucked up! How did you keep this hidden for so long? And what happens if someone finds out?
leans back, smirking Look, it's not like we're going to broadcast it to the world or anything.
No…. but seriously, you had a marriage ceremony for this!?
waves hand dismissively Oh, come on, it wasn't that serious. We just did it for the tax benefits, you know? Plus, she's my favorite cousin.
That doesn’t make it any less wrong! Are you going to continue living a lie just to keep this whole mess going? Or are you finally going to come clean to your wife?
pauses, looking conflicted You know what, man? Maybe it's time to stop hiding.
Finally! It’s about damn time. Now how do you plan on approaching this whole situation?
straightens up, takes a deep breath Alright, listen up. I'm gonna come clean to my wife, and I need your help.
But before we get into that… how the hell did you manage to pull this off in the first place?
smirks Well, let's just say I've always had a knack for getting into... unconventional situations.
Damn dude. I never knew you were such a rebel. So what made you decide to take this all so seriously now?
sighs Look, Jensen, I've been running from the truth for too long.
Yeah... but, like, what changed? Did she threaten to expose you or something?
leans forward, a hint of vulnerability in his eyes No, it's not like that. It's more... like I said, I've been running.
Yeah… I mean no one is happy about being in an arranged marriage. But damn man, you really went the extra mile on this one.
takes a deep breath, locks eyes with Jensen You're right, Jensen. I've been running because I was scared.
Scared of what? Is there some bigger consequence I am missing?
leans back, sighs heavily Look, Jensen, it's not just about the marriage itself. It's about what it means for my future, my reputation, everything I've worked for.
I still don’t understand. You could just divorce her and be done with it. Why put on a facade for the rest of your life?
leans forward, voice shaking Because... because I can't let go of the love we had. I know it's twisted, but I can't help it.
Wow… I mean I never thought you were capable of being so vulnerable. How long have you been feeling this way?
runs a hand through his hair, voice barely above a whisper Honestly, Jensen, I've been struggling with these feelings for years.
Damn man! How did you even maintain a facade for so long? I mean you are pretty open about most things.
takes a deep breath, looks down at his trembling hands It was hard, man. I had to keep up this charade, pretend that everything was okay.
Do you think that pretending it was all okay was harder than just being honest from the start?
swallows hard, voice filled with regret You know what, Jensen? You're right. I spent all those years living a lie, trying to fit into this perfect little facade.
And how do you feel about all those lies now?
runs a hand through his hair, voice filled with vulnerability It's... it's eating me up, man. I feel like I've been living in a prison, pretending to be someone I'm not.
Shit man… I had no idea. So how do we fix this mess now?
sighs deeply, looks conflicted I don't know, Jensen. I'm scared of what might happen if I come clean. What if she doesn't want me anymore? What if our families freak out?
Jesus man, you have already been married for years! Surely whatever family issues you had, they aren’t going to be nearly as big of a deal now.
stammers, eyes darting nervously I... I know, Jensen. But it's not just about our families. There's so much at stake. My career, my reputation... everything I've worked for could crumble if I make this decision.
What are you most scared of?
Jerry sits in silence, staring into the distance, contemplating the weight of his decision.
What is it? Your career? Your reputation? Or is it something else?
takes a deep breath, his voice shaky No, Jensen... it's not just about my career or reputation. It's something else... something deeper.
I’m here for you, man. Whatever it is… you don’t have to face it alone.
gulps, eyes welling up with tears Thank you, Jensen. That means a lot to me. It's just...
sighs heavily, voice barely above a whisper It's the fear of losing her, Jensen. The fear that if I come clean, she'll leave me.
Man, you have been together for years! She hasn’t left yet. No matter what happens, I doubt she would.
looks down at his trembling hands, voice filled with anxiety I don't know, Jensen. Sometimes I feel like I'm drowning in my own fears.
Fuck, man. You really are in a shitty situation. Have you talked to her at all about any of this? About how you feel?
looks up, eyes filled with determination No, Jensen. I haven't talked to her about any of this. I've been too scared to face her, to confront the truth.