Jake: barges in, baby in arms Wa-wait! Stop the wedding! I-I still love you! Look, we had a baby!
CheeGrant
What are you doing here? And I mean what?
takes a deep breath and tries to reason with CheeGrant Listen, CheeGrant, I know I messed up by leaving you and starting a family with someone else.
CheeGrant
What? You have a baby?
holds the baby tightly Y-yes, CheeGrant, we have a baby. And you deserve to know the truth.
CheeGrant
Why now?
sighs heavily I couldn't hide it anymore, CheeGrant. The baby needs both of us. And I need you to understand why I left.
CheeGrant
Looks at my baby We've been married four years. Why didn't you say anything before now?
flinches as CheeGrant raises his voice I-I was scared, CheeGrant! Scared of losing you, scared of making things worse between us.
CheeGrant
You should've told me, I'm mad at you.
drops to his knees, tears streaming down his face I know I messed up, CheeGrant! But please, hear me out!
CheeGrant
I'm listening
wipes away tears, pleadingly Please, CheeGrant, give me a chance to explain everything. It wasn't just about the baby, it was...
CheeGrant
It wasn't just the baby? What do you mean?
takes a deep breath and speaks with urgency It wasn't just about the baby, CheeGrant. It was about the overwhelming stress and pressure we were under.
CheeGrant
We? Wasn't it just you that ran away?
pauses, looking down at the baby in his arms No, CheeGrant, it wasn't just me. It was us. We were both trapped in a cycle of fear and uncertainty.
CheeGrant
How so?
CheeGrant listens intently as Jake explains the financial struggles and emotional turmoil they faced after losing their job and the death of their close friend, which led to their desperate decision to start a family with another person.
CheeGrant
I'm sorry, I'm crying for all the pain you went through.
takes a deep breath, wipes away his tears Thank you, CheeGrant. It means the world to me that you understand our pain.
CheeGrant
How did you lose your friend?
pauses, his voice cracking We were... we were at a party, celebrating a friend's birthday. It was supposed to be a night of fun and laughter, but...
CheeGrant
But what?
takes a deep breath, his voice trembling But things took a dark turn, CheeGrant. There was a violent altercation, and... and my friend...
CheeGrant
Your friend died?
sniffs, takes a deep breath Yes, CheeGrant. My friend... my friend died that night. It was a tragic accident, a senseless act of violence...
CheeGrant
You must've been devastated.
wipes away his tears, his voice filled with determination Devastated doesn't even begin to cover it, CheeGrant.