The very thought of their parting was agonizing. "A few minutes." She echoed. Melody nearly reached for him again, nearly forced her hand into his to escape the room together rather than discreetly as planned. What did it matter if they were seen together? She loved him — oh, how she loved him! — and she couldn't find herself to care about whatever damning consequences society would rain upon her.

However, somehow — somewhat miraculously — Melody was able to think of Nora and her future. The scandal surrounding her marriage was already a difficult enough situation for the toddler to wade through. If she were to add in an openly adulterous mother then poor Nora would never stand a chance. However much Melody loved Beckett, she still loved Nora more.

She followed his plan to the letter, even going as far as to reach for another drink as she passed through the crowd. Surely, people wouldn't suspect her if she was just another discarded wife making the rounds around the room? And what wife would be making the rounds without some fruity drink in hand?

Melody sipped her glass as she finally — finally! — made her way to the closet, by which point she was desperate for Beckett. She needed him, any of him. Even a glimpse of him would be better than their continued parting. He was coming, he had to be for she would simply perish if he failed to follow through on their plans.

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