A New Studio, A New Wall
Doris and Dante move into a shared studio apartment above a vintage record shop in Camden Town. It's cozy but cramped. They start unpacking together, but an unspoken tension lingers between them. Doris notices Dante keeps Lila's old piano in the corner. She says nothing—but it bothers her.
"It's not about her," he says quietly. "It's about me."
She nods, but doesn't smile.
---
Daily Life and Growing Distance
They fall into a routine—Dante works late on his album, Doris dives into designing for Marlowe & Co.'s next collection. At first, it's comfortable. Then it becomes distant. They stop talking before bed. Stop touching. Stop checking in.
Clara warns Doris:
"You're starting to look like someone who's losing something she never really held onto."
Doris brushes it off. But inside, she's unraveling.
---
Flashback – The First Time He Left
Doris dreams of the morning after their one night in Soho. She wakes up alone. Sees the note. Feels the sting of betrayal again. She starts sketching that moment obsessively, filling pages with red ink and broken lines. When Dante sees the drawings, he asks if she still blames him.
"Not for leaving," she says. "For making me want you back."
---
Tension Rises – What We Don't Say
They argue over small things—laundry left on the floor, missed dinners, unanswered texts. Finally, it erupts when Doris accuses Dante of shutting her out again.
"You keep saying you've changed," she snaps. "But I don't feel it."
He fires back:
"Maybe you're scared to let yourself believe it."
They both freeze. The silence speaks louder than words.
---
Clara's Intervention – Letting Go or Letting In?
Clara pulls Doris aside during a design meeting. She tells her bluntly:
"You can't build a life with someone if you keep expecting them to leave."
Later, Clara talks to Dante too.
"If you love her, prove it. Every day. Not just when it's easy."
Both Doris and Dante walk away shaken.
---
Echoes of Doubt
Doris receives a job offer from a New York fashion house. She doesn't tell Dante at first. Instead, she starts researching flights. Meanwhile, Dante gets a call from a record label in LA offering him a producing deal. He lies and says it's just a fan message.
They're both hiding.
And both hurting.
---
One More Lie
That night, they sit across from each other at dinner. Neither eats.
Finally, Doris whispers:
"Are we still trying?"
Dante looks at her.
"Only if you are."
She hesitates.
Then nods.
"I am."
He reaches for her hand.
"Then so am I."
Neither of them mentions the job offers.
But both know the truth.
This time, silence isn't healing.
It's breaking them.