There was an unbearable chill in the studio.
For a fraction of a second, the "Goddess" vanished. Brianna was choking on a jagged memory of a sterile doctor's office.
Her hand went instinctively to her stomach.
"Is she okay?" a stagehand whispered into a headset.
The audience, sensing blood in the water, exploded into a feverish hum.
"Wasn't there a rumor she can't conceive?"
"That's impossible! She said in that Vogue interview she wanted to change the world before starting a family," another retorted.
"But the judge is right... how can she know the sacrifice if she's never done it?"
"If the Marriage Goddess is truly barren, does that mean her marriage is failing?"
"There's no way! A man wouldn't stay with a woman who is unable to bear a child. She's been married for two years! These are just baseless allegations!"
The murmurs became uncontrollable.
In the control booth, the managing director shouted into Brianna's earpiece, "Dr. Colburn, get it together! We're losing control of the audience!" before cutting the judge's microphone entirely.
Brianna's silence had everyone on edge, eager to hear what she'll say and what she would do.
Then she inhaled and forced a smile. "This brings us to tonight's verdict," she said smoothly, completely ignoring the insult.
Lights brightened across the studio.
"Everyone here, and everyone at home, will vote. To help this woman decide. Should she stay and continue trying… or should she walk out that door and selfishly choose herself?"
A countdown appeared on the screen.
5…
4…
3…
The viewers at home tapped their screens with fury.; the judges and audience pressed their buttons and when the results flashed behind her, they were overwhelming.
LEAVE: 51% - STAY: 49%
The applause was thunderous; a mixture of relief and outrage.
Brianna turned to the woman's silhouette one last time, speaking in her soft voice. "You are not a bad mother. You are not the cause of this. And you are not wrong for wanting peace."
The woman let out a shaky breath, wiping her eyes behind the screen. "Thank you," she whispered.
The clap from the audience erupted even as the cameras faded to black.
~✿~
"And that's a wrap, people..." The voice came from Langford, the production manager. Those words finally let the crew breathe.
Brianna, who was now taking water at the center of the studio, looked up when she heard another round of applause.
Even though the show had ended, the audience and crew members never failed to acknowledge the woman of the hour!
Brianna's lips curved into a proud smile; there was no denying she had done well today. However, she felt like something rotten instead.
Security surrounded her immediately when the people in the studio came closer. She smiled through the praises...
"Mrs. Colburn, you were amazing today!"
"Can I get a picture later?"
"I loved and enjoyed every bit of the show! It was absolutely scrumptious!"
This was real.
Somehow their validation made her feel a bit better than two seconds ago.
"The way you handled judge Sterling? Absolute mastery."
The worst mistake Brianna made was asking. "I'm sorry? What are you talking about?"
The fan's eyes widened with vicarious thrill. "Oh, you know! When he went after you," she completely ignored the awkwardness around them. "The comment about the children. Everyone in the row was ready to storm the stage for you."
Brianna's vision seemed to tunnel for a second, the fan's face becoming a blur of moving lips and bright makeup. The irony today of all days brought to her.
"I'm afraid I was so focused on the verdict I barely heard a word the judges said," Brianna lied. "If you'll excuse me."
The moment she turned, it didn't take long for the other fans to reprimand that one girl.
Thinking of going home for the ritual, she was escorted backstage where the rest of the crew popped champagne bottles.
"Mrs. Colburn, have a drink with us." They cheered her closer, but she shook her head.
"Come on, Mrs. Colburn. Just one drink."
"Okay, okay."
Today was the end of their first season; which they hadn't expected to hit on a solid 7.3 rating. Meaning the show was going for a season 2!
It was quite unusual for a show about divorce to have such rating. They must be doing something right!
"Congratulations to us! Here's to new beginnings--I mean, seasons!" A man yelled, making the room cheer as they drank.
Brianna smiled happily as she watched 'her family' celebrate after working hard for a whole year. She hadn't finished enjoying the moment when the lights in the room suddenly dimmed, only the glow from a far end, closing in illuminated the space.
The massive cake was wheeled to the woman of the hour.
Brianna smiled beautifully and blew out the candle when the crew cheered a united chant.
She was handed a glass, and she took a small sip before setting the glass aside. Getting drunk had never been part of the plan.
The moment she found a distraction, she slipped through them, heading towards the elevator. She was not planning to stay because the team were going to have drinks later.
Leaving now meant no disappointments when she declined invitations.
With that, she pushed the door open, ready to go home for her ritual. But she was barely through the door when someone who had been watching her from the corner followed her before the door closed.
"Dr. Colburn."
She turned partially at the man's voice from behind. Lewis Koch. Her managing director. Brianna smiled through the groan, thinking the universe was stopping her from going home.
"A woman like you deserves a man who actually appreciates her," he said, lowering his voice. "Have dinner with me tonight."
Brianna didn't hesitate to say it. "I have plans with my husband."
But Lewis, never understood the meaning of 'no', so he stepped closer, grabbing her wrist without consent. "Name one thing your husband gives you that I can't."
Brianna looked down at his hand, then back up to meet his eyes. "Mr. Lewis..."
She avoided using his last name since it was pronounced as 'cock.'
"Let go."
He didn't.
Since he wanted an answer, she leaned in just enough for him to hear. "Distance."
She yanked her wrist free from his grip.
"And the decency to stop when a woman says no."
Lewis remained frozen, but Brianna left him fuming.
Pretending not to hear a thing, Rochelle Bradley, her assistant, followed quietly behind. Though her gaze briefly flicked to Lewis's hand, she joined her in the elevator.
In the silence, Brianna's finger tips brushed the cold locket on her neck. The memories came back, and she muttered a whispered "thank you," to them for giving her strength today of all days.
"You have a call from your mother in-law, Mrs. Colburn." Rochelle handed her the phone.
Brianna already knew the magnitude of the call, so urgency was missing in her movement.
"Hello, Senior Mrs. Colburn."
On the other end, a weary sigh escaped a woman's lips; how many times did she have to have this conversation?!
"Brianna, stop with the formal greetings. You're half of my age; we're not that far apart." She murmured, "Anyway, I'm calling to remind you about dinner. I hope you cleared all your schedule for tonight."
"Mm. My schedule is cleared and I'm on my way home now."
"Perfect. We'll see you and my son soon."
Once the call died, Brianna closed her eyes. It was a ritual to dine for the loss, but she'd rather just enjoy today by herself.
Afterall, it was her children's death day.
Something that happened two years ago. Two years of being afraid to throw their ashes away because she didn't know anyway of honouring them.
But she had discovered something powerful in recent times; she'd honour them by pouring them into her garden and watching them bloom into flowers!
She smiled happily, twisting the locket absentmindedly, until she felt a vibration in her palm.
When she looked down at her screen, her smile died.
[The papers are on the desk. Sign them before I get back. I'm done.]