Chapter Five

Dominic waits outside Bethany Castle’s house during a Just Us League meeting, determined to see Rosie after days apart. Seeing Rosie happy in the kitchen triggers memories of returning from deployment and longstanding insecurity about not being enough. He enters despite potential hostility, fixated on reclaiming their marriage.

Spotting Rosie preparing empanadas—a sign of her happiness—Dominic asks to speak outside. Confronted by the group’s scrutiny, Rosie agrees. In the cold, they spar: Dominic implies the club undermined their marriage, while Rosie reveals she’s been cooking for meetings, getting catering interest, and has a GoFundMe—started by Georgie—drawing strong community support for her restaurant dream.

Dominic, stung that others are backing what he believes he should provide, urges her to come home and fund the restaurant together. Rosie refuses, saying years passed without progress, and she’ll now pursue it her way. Dominic admits things at home weren’t good and asks what he must do; Rosie says she doesn’t know.

Driven by jealousy and fear of losing her, Dominic demands reassurance that no other men will step in while they decide their future. Rosie agrees—on the same terms for him. A charged moment nearly turns intimate, but Rosie ends it and tells him to go. Dominic leaves, restless and unsatisfied, while their marriage’s fate remains uncertain.