THE WIFE WHO FORGOT

CHAPTER 5: WHEN HIS HEART BELIEVE HIS EYES - PART 2

EXT. STREET OUTSIDE ROSE’S BUILDING — 2:14 AM

Jason’s car is idling at the curb. Engine off. He doesn’t remember driving here. He just that he... did.

He stares up at the 10th floor. The light is still on. Still burning bright.

His phone lies dead on the passenger seat. He hasn’t replied. Hasn’t slept. Hasn’t moved.

She said she couldn’t make it.

Something came up.

Then the buildings doorman opens the door.

the guy who went in Rose’s earlier tonight into her apartment walks out. Same guy from the elevator. Now hair messy, jacket slung over one shoulder. Tired. he’s been there all night.

He gets into his car across the street. Starts it and then drives off.

Jason’s hands tighten on the steering wheel sos much so thats his knuckles go white. His jaw so tight it aches.

JASON: — through gritted teeth, voice low and raw — “So that was it. All night she was with him.”

He watches the taillights disappear. The anger hits — hot, then cold, then something darker. Something that settles deep and won’t shift.

He doesn’t go up. Doesn’t knock. Doesn’t call. He just puts the car into drive and pulls away.

INT. ROSE’S APARTMENT — 10TH FLOOR — 2:17 AM

Fabric swatches everywhere. Files stacked high. Coffee gone cold.

SAM: — half-asleep — “Last page and we send it… then we’re done.”

ROSE: — nods, eyes burning, exhausted — “Almost.”

Her phone sits face-down on the table. She hasn’t looked at it since she sent that first text hours ago. All she’s thinking: Finish. Sleep. See Jason tomorrow.

INT. ROSE’S APARTMENT — 10TH FLOOR — 2:20 AM

The apartment is quiet now. Sam is fast asleep on the sofa.

ROSE: — yawning, rubbing her eyes — “Jonathan, i think we put everything need to put in plavlce for the launch and fabric samples, iv email them the files and. so Its finally all done, and this last bit was all that needs doing, which..." she takes a deep breath. "I can finish in my own and will not take long, you! my friend." She gave smile. "Need to go home and get some sleep, your done for the night. And besides as you can see Sam’s knockout.” Rose gives a laugh.

JONATHAN: — packing up his laptop — “You sure? I can stay till you’re both sorted.”

ROSE: — shakes her head — “No leave everything as it is Sam and i will pick it up tomorrow, so yeah I’m good. Go home, get some sleep. I've only have a few more papers left. I’ll crash after I send them.”

JONATHAN: — yawns and nods — “Alright. i guess not much else to do.Night, Rose.”

He leans in, quick and friendly, and kisses her on the cheek.

“Good night I'll see you two in the office tomorrow morning.”

Door closes.

"Come ill see you out the door."

Once Rose see Jonathan out she comes right back doesn’t even take a moment and gets back to wark, until she finishes and sends the files to the Asia company, after which she collapses onto the couch next to Sam's.

All she’s thinking: Three hours sleep. Then coffee with Jason at 11.

EXT. CITY STREET — JASON’S CAR — 2:30 AM

Jason drives with no destination. The image of Jonathan kissing Rose’s cheek plays on a loop.

He grips the wheel until his hands ache.

JASON: — quiet, bitter, broken — “Tomorrow. Right.”

THE COFFEE SHOP — 11:05 AM — NEXT DAY

Rose is already there. Hair pulled up, dark circles under her eyes, but smiling bright. Two coffees on the table — one exactly how he likes it. She’s running on three hours of sleep, but she’s excited. Nervous, but so ready to see him.

The bell above the door chimes.

Jason walks in. Jeans. Jacket. Sunglasses in his hand. He looks normal. Too normal. Like nothing happened. Like nothing changed.

ROSE — lighting up instantly — “Hey you. I was starting to think you weren’t coming.”

JASON — small, easy smile — “Traffic.”

He sits. Picks up the coffee she got him. Takes a slow sip.

ROSE — studying him softly — “You okay? You look tired.”

JASON — shrugs it off — “Didn’t sleep great. You?”

ROSE — laughs softly, rubbing her eyes — “Same. Pulled an all-nighter for work. Sent everything at like… two.”

Jason’s jaw ticks. Just once. So fast she almost misses it.

2 a.m.

Right when he walked out your door.

JASON — voice still casual — “Oh yeah? Big project?”

ROSE — nodding, earnest — “Yeah, Asia. Last-minute stuff, it was crazy. I’m so sorry again about last night. I felt awful cancelling on you.”

JASON — nods, completely unbothered — “Don’t worry about it. Work happens.”

Too easy. Too calm. It feels wrong — like he’s holding himself back, like every word is measured.

He asks about her day. Listens. Laughs at the right moments. Nods when she explains things. He’s doing everything right. Like nothing is wrong at all.

ROSE — tilting her head, watching him — “You’re quiet today.”

JASON — a soft, warm smile — “Just listening. I like hearing you talk.”

But his eyes — they keep flicking down. To her cheek.

The same cheek he kissed last night.

The same face that told me she couldn’t see me.

Forty minutes pass. Pleasant. Too pleasant.

JASON — setting his cup down — “I should go. Got some stuff to take care of.”

ROSE — disappointment flickers, but she covers it — “Oh. Okay. Tomorrow then?”

JASON — stands, leans in, presses a gentle kiss to her forehead — exactly like he always did — “Yeah. Tomorrow.”

He walks out. Doesn’t look back. Doesn’t text her when he gets back to his hotel. Doesn’t send got back safe. Nothing.

JASON’S HOTEL ROOM — LATER

He throws his keys onto the dresser. Hard. Stares up at the ceiling, hands scrubbing over his face.