Well, that was it then, wasn't it? Ben had no objections, and the few she still weren't enough to overcome her intense fear of motherhood. No one other than he would ever have to know. They could live with this tragedy (she was murdering a baby, after all) buried in their closets for all eternity. "Okay." She nodded. Perhaps it was better he knew. Perhaps not telling him was why she hadn't been brave enough to take it on her own in the first place.

The pop of the vial's stopper was the only sound in the room. It was better this way, she reminded herself for the umpteenth time. No child would flourish with Ben and she as their parents, not in their current state anyway.

Wordlessly (and before she could talk herself out of it again) Melody drank the potion.