Chapter 13
KIRIAKIS MANSION
STEPHANIE: I don't know what you're talking about.
PHILIP: Oh, come on, Steph! Did someone go crazy and hit you over the head with a lamp, too?
STEPHANIE: What?
PHILIP: Oh, yeah. You didn't think I knew about that, did you? Well, you see, a little while before I was released from the hospital, I got a jolt in my brain. Long story short, I'm back, Steph. I remember everything.
STEPHANIE: But...the doctors, they said it would take weeks.
PHILP: But, it didn't. All it took was a kiss. A surprisingly powerful kiss from the girl I love. My fiancé, Melanie.
STEPHANIE: Philip, I thought we were together! We're married!
PHILIP: Cut the act, Stephanie! It's over! We're not married. We never were married! And after this, we never will be.
STEPHANIE: But, Philip...
PHILIP: No! No more of this! I told you, what we had was nice, but now it's time to move on. Melanie and I are engaged. And this little charade you're playing is over. I think it's time you all know the truth about what happened that night.
Kate entered the room.
KATE: Well, I think we'd all appreciate that.
PHILIP: Mom.
KATE: Philip.
Kate and Philip hugged.
KATE: How are you?
PHILIP: All better. Memory's back and everything. Now, about that night nearly two weeks ago. Melanie, you remember that male stripper that came to our door?
MELANIE: Yeah.
PHILIP: He was hired by Stephanie to get you out of the house. When I found this out, I went to confront her. At the Salem Inn, Stephanie tried to convince me that she was the woman for me. But, I wasn't buying it. I knew that the only woman for me was Melanie. Well, she got mad and grabbed a lamp on the bedside table and hit me over the back of the head. Next thing I know, I'm in a hospital bed with no memory and she's trying to tell me we're married. So, Stephanie, just go. Leave this house and please, never return.
Philip went to walk away.
STEPHANIE: Philip, wait! I love you! I need you!
PHILIP: Frankly, Steph, I don't give a d@*n what you need.
Philip turned away and went upstairs. Stephanie was left alone with Victor, Kate, Vivian, and Melanie.
STEPHANIE: You know, I'm sure that this is all just a big misunderstanding. You know that, right, guys?
The four stared angrily at her.
STEPHANIE: Guys?
Victor, Vivian, Kate, and Melanie walked towards Stephanie and closed in as a circle (or, as much of a circle as can be with four people) around her.
