THE MOTHER-IN-LAW’S SHADOW: Some secrets don't die - they wait to be found.

INT. GRAND BELLAMY HOTEL - RECEPTION HALL - NIGHT The champagne fountain sparkles under the crystal chandeliers. Maya Richardson stands at the edge of the room, her ivory wedding gown pooling around her feet. She watches her new mother-in-law, Victoria Hastings, hold court among the guests. MAYA (to herself) Is it though? Zara, her best friend, appears at her elbow with two glasses of champagne. ZARA You’re doing it again. Stop staring at her. This is your day. MAYA (taking a glass) Is it though? ZARA (concerned) What’s wrong? MAYA (sighing) She changed the seating chart. She seated Ethan’s ex-girlfriend at our table. ZARA (outraged) What? That’s insane! MAYA ( watching Ethan laugh with his groomsmen) He hasn’t even noticed yet. He just thinks his mother means well. CUT TO: INT. GRAND BELLAMY HOTEL - TERRACE - NIGHT Maya steps out onto the cold terrace, gathering her skirts. She grips the stone balustrade, looking out over the hotel gardens. Suddenly, Sienna and Marcus, guests of the Bellamy, emerge from the shadows. SIENNA Rough day to be a bride? MAYA (smiling wryly) Just a little complicated. SIENNA (sympathetic) Mother-in-law? MAYA (laughing) You have no idea. CUT TO: INT. GRAND BELLAMY HOTEL - TERRACE - LATER Ethan steps out onto the terrace, his face tight with worry. ETHAN Maya, thank God. I’ve been looking everywhere. Are you okay? MAYA (frustrated) I’m fine. No, actually, I’m not fine. ETHAN (concerned) What’s going on? MAYA (hurt) Your mother invited your ex-girlfriend to sit at our table. You didn’t know, did you? ETHAN (shocked) No, I didn’t. I’ll talk to her. MAYA (skeptical) Will you? Or will you tell her it’s fine and that I’m overreacting? Ethan’s jaw clenches, and he looks away. CUT TO: INT. GRAND BELLAMY HOTEL - TERRACE - LATER Ethan opens up to Maya about his father leaving when he was 12. ETHAN (tearfully) I’ve spent my whole life terrified of abandoning her the same way. MAYA (softening) I’m not asking you to abandon her, Ethan. I’m asking you to put our marriage first. ETHAN (desperate) Is there a difference? Because from where I’m standing, it feels like you’re asking me to choose. MAYA (tearfully) Maybe I am. The band strikes up their song, "At Last" by Etta James, and the camera pans out as Maya and Ethan stand frozen, the weight of their marriage settling in.