[INT. CORPORATE BUILDING – ELEVATOR – DAY]
TESSA walks toward the elevator, arms full of papers and a coffee. Just as the doors begin to close, a hand blocks them.
Enter HARDIN. The tension is instant.
TESSA (coldly):
Really?
HARDIN (calm, but watching her closely):
I didn’t plan this.
The doors close. Silence swells. Just the hum of the elevator and the weight of everything unsaid between them.
HARDIN:
You look… different.
TESSA (not looking at him):
That tends to happen when you’re not being emotionally wrecked every day.
HARDIN:
That’s not fair.
TESSA (snaps):
What’s not fair is you thinking you get to walk back into my life like nothing happened.
He steps a little closer. She shifts slightly, uncomfortable—but not unaffected.
HARDIN:
You think I don’t regret it? Every second?
TESSA:
Then why did you do it?
The elevator dings, but no one moves. Neither of them reaches for the door.
HARDIN (softly):
Because I didn’t think I deserved you.
The air between them is thick—history, hurt, and heat.
TESSA (whispers):
You still don’t.
The doors open. She steps out, leaving him alone. He watches her walk away, jaw clenched, eyes heavy with everything he couldn’t say fast enough.
