The Ring in the Trophy Box

Synopsis

Ten minutes before the Best Actor award was announced, Edward Blake walked onto the red carpet, holding Vivian Lane's hand. The camera flashes were blinding, like a sudden blizzard. The host spotted me standing solo by the signature wall and, with a smile, thrust the mic my way. "Charlotte, why are you entering alone tonight? Isn't Mr. Blake with you?" Before I could speak, Vivian turned her head and smiled softly into the microphone. "She's just the stand-in for the sister role in Edward's films. Don't get the wrong idea, everyone." The crowd fell silent for a moment, but the sound of camera shutters quickly filled the air again. Edward didn't correct her. He just caught Vivian's wrist as she tripped on her gown and murmured, "Careful." I looked down and opened the trophy box in my hands. It was a keepsake box, sent ahead by the organizers to the guest tables, lined with black velvet. In the center, an empty space waited for tonight's winner. I slipped the wedding ring off my finger and dropped it in. The ring hit the velvet without a sound, but I could hear the last of my hope hit the ground with it. Five years ago, when Edward slipped that ring on, he promised, "Charlotte, the moment I win my first major film award, I'll introduce you to the world." Since then, he'd picked up Best New Director, Best Screenplay, and the Grand Jury Prize. Every single time, he told me it "wasn't the right moment." Tonight marked the fifth year.