The finial straw
818 Words
ANIYA’S POV
Aniya tried to ignore the uneasy feeling twisting in her stomach as the nominees for Best Leading Actress were displayed on the large screen.
Around her, applause echoed throughout the ballroom.
"And the award goes to..." the presenter paused dramatically before smiling. "Kenzie Sean!"
The room erupted into cheers.
A bright smile spread across Kenzie's face as she rose from her seat, gracefully making her way towards the stage. The cameras followed her every move as she accepted congratulations from those around her.
Beside Aniya, Corbin immediately stood to his feet.
A look of genuine pride crossed his features as he applauded.
"She deserves it," he said, a hint of admiration evident in his voice.
Aniya forced a smile.
"Yeah," she replied softly. "She does."
As Kenzie stepped onto the stage to accept her award, Aniya noticed Corbin's attention never wavered from her.
Something about it made the tightness in her chest worsen.
After accepting her award, Kenzie stepped up to the microphone with a bright smile on her face.
"I honestly wasn't expecting this," she admitted with a soft laugh, causing the audience to chuckle along with her. "Thank you to everyone who has supported me throughout this journey. This award means more to me than words can express."
After thanking her fans and colleagues, Kenzie glanced towards the audience.
"I also want to thank the incredible team behind this project. None of this would have been possible without your hard work and dedication."
The host returned to the stage moments later.
"Representing the entertainment company behind tonight's award-winning project, please welcome CEO Corbin Skii to say a few words."
Applause filled the ballroom as Corbin rose from his seat.
Aniya watched him straighten his suit jacket before making his way towards the stage.
For reasons she couldn't explain, the uneasy feeling in her chest intensified.
Taking the microphone, Corbin thanked everyone involved in the project before speaking about the company's success over the years.
Then, his gaze shifted towards Kenzie.
"There are some people who come into your life and change it forever," he said, a small smile appearing on his face. "Kenzie, thank you for being that person for me."
The ballroom erupted into applause.
Beside him, Kenzie looked both surprised and touched by his words.
But Aniya couldn't hear anything over the sound of her own heartbeat.
Her smile froze on her face as the weight of Corbin's words settled heavily in her chest.
"There are some people who come into your life and change it forever."
She replayed the sentence in her mind over and over again.
Across the ballroom, she noticed subtle glances being directed towards her.
A few whispered conversations.
Expressions of sympathy.
The comments she had overheard earlier suddenly resurfaced in her mind.
"They make such a good team."
"Their chemistry is amazing."
"I wouldn't be surprised if there was something more going on there."
For years, Aniya had convinced herself that things would get better.
That Corbin was simply busy.
That she was overthinking.
But standing there, surrounded by hundreds of people, she finally understood what her heart had been trying to tell her all along.
Somewhere along the way, she had stopped being the person Corbin chose first.
As Corbin returned to the table, several people stopped him along the way to offer their congratulations.
Aniya sat quietly in her seat, her hands clasped tightly in her lap as she stared ahead.
The applause had faded, but the ache in her chest remained.
Eventually, Corbin took his seat beside her.
"Are you okay?" he asked, noticing how quiet she had become.
Aniya forced herself to look at him.
For a brief moment, she searched his expression for some sign that he understood.
Some indication that he realized how much his words had hurt her.
But all she saw was concern mixed with confusion.
"I'm fine," she replied softly.
Corbin studied her for a moment.
"Was it something I said?" he asked.
Aniya hesitated.
There were so many things she wanted to say.
That hearing her husband thank another woman for changing his life forever had shattered something inside her.
That being overlooked and pushed aside for months had left her exhausted.
That she was tired of constantly competing for a place in her own husband's life.
But instead, she simply shook her head.
"I'm just tired."
Corbin nodded slowly.
"Tonight has been overwhelming," he said. "We'll talk when we get home."
Aniya looked away from him and forced a small smile.
"Okay."
But deep down, she knew that no conversation could erase what had happened.
Because this wasn't just about one speech.
It was about every missed dinner.
Every cancelled plan.
Every moment she had convinced herself that things would eventually get better.
For years, Aniya had fought to save her marriage.
For the first time, she wondered if it was finally time to stop fighting.
- Writer
