She wasn't sure why she struggled to believe he would return. Ben had always remained true to his word, even when months of silence elapsed between them. His solutions weren't always her first choice, but he always came through. No matter the fights or the vile words she threw in his direction, Ben was there. Last night was only another prime example of his nature, for it couldn't have been easy to grant her her moment of comfort. Not when her very presence was salt in the wound of their separation.

Melody's guilt grew as she watched him leave. Ben was selfless when it came to her, willing to give and do whatever so long as she remained comfortable and happy. And what was she but a greedy harlot? Last night's events played once more through her mind as she quickly dressed. It was one thing to make a panicked decision and regret it later. It was an entirely different being to fully grasp how wrong a decision was and proceed with it anyway. Perhaps that was why she was convinced he wouldn't return. Perhaps it had nothing to do with Ben's character but instead with her mountain of guilt. For if Ben could pave a path for himself out of this wreck, then maybe she wasn't the awful person she now knew herself to be.