Page 4 of Marriage & Mockery

I didn’t allow myself to look at the framed photos on the dresser. Or the bed where Bennett had woken me up with kisses this morning.

When the suitcase was closed, I tore a page from the pad of paper on my bedside table and wrote only four words.

I need some time.

I left the note on his pillow.

Downstairs, Lucy had returned to the couch. She didn’t even look up from her phone as I came down the stairs and walked past her into the kitchen. I didn’t speak since there was nothing left to say that wouldn’t make the night worse.

Heading straight to my car in the garage, I waited until the house grew smaller in the rearview mirror before I finally let the first tears fall.

3

BENNETT

Iwas still riding the high of my win as I was guided backstage. My first stop was the trophy table, where I handed over the prop statue I’d been given on stage and confirmed my information so they could engrave the one I’d take home.

Someone clapped me on the shoulder and shook my hand hard. “Hell of a night, Bennett. You earned this.”

“Thanks.” I grinned. “Couldn’t have done it without the whole team.”

A handler steered me toward the camera, where I was able to give an extended gratitude speech since I’d been limited to under a minute on stage. From there, we headed to the area where all the winners were photographed. “Award a little higher. Big smile. Perfect, hold that.”

Cameras flashed in rapid succession. I turned when they told me to, lifted the award when they asked, and kept my grin in place. It wasn’t hard when everything felt electric.

Next came the official press room where I answered questions from accredited journalists and media outlets. The first question was one I’d anticipated.

“Bennett, congratulations. How does it feel to bring this award home for the show?”

“Incredible,” I answered. “This one belongs to the entire cast and crew. They’ve poured so much into making The Wrong Side of Right what it is.”

“Any message for the fans who’ve supported the series from the beginning?” someone else asked.

“Just thank you. Seriously. We don’t take any of it for granted.”

There weren’t any surprises until I got to my last curtained booth for quick, social-media-friendly video clips with digital outlets. As we were wrapping up, the interviewer’s eyes widened as they glanced down at their phone. Then their head jerked up, but just as they started to ask another question, my handler tugged me away with a murmured, “We need to hurry so you’re back in your seat before the next segment. The commercial break is starting soon and only lasts three minutes.”

Award ceremonies ran on a strict timetable, so I wasn’t surprised when they hurried me back to my table. Which was fine by me because I couldn’t wait to get back to my wife.

I headed back into the ballroom still smiling, and a few people near the aisle offered quick nods or raised their glasses as I passed. I barely slowed down. All I wanted was to find Laina. But when our seats came into view, hers was empty.

I paused for a moment, wondering if she’d stepped away to use the restroom during the commercial break. The rest of the table was still there, but the energy felt off as I approached. Conversations that had been lively earlier now seemed muted. A couple of people glanced up when I approached, then looked away again just as quickly.

Pausing at my seat, I scanned the nearby tables. There was no sign of her.

Charlotte sat a few chairs down, her eyes fixed on the stage even though nothing was happening there. I leaned slightly toward her. “Hey. Have you seen Laina?”

She turned her head just enough to lift her chin toward the main doors before she shifted her attention back to the stage without a word.

The smile I’d been wearing since my name was announced slipped a little. I glanced around the table again, then toward the exits. Still nothing. Someone across from me offered a polite smile that didn’t reach their eyes. Another person suddenly became very interested in their drink.

I didn’t understand what had changed while I was backstage. Laina wouldn’t have left without saying something. Not on a night like this.

And I only had a minute and a half remaining to figure out what to do before the break ended.

Luckily, Reid Hawthorne walked past on his way back to his table, and I was able to catch his attention quickly. We weren’t close friends, but he was a partner at the law firm that represented me, so we knew each other enough for me to pull aside without it looking strange.

“Reid.” I kept my voice low. “Have you seen Laina?”