"It's alright, Ben," she began in a futile effort to dissuade him from continuing to stand there and break her heart. But then, he kept trying to explain. He kept adding words until, lastly, landing on fake. Melody dropped her eyes to the stones between them, refusing to allow him to see the hurt she knew to be displayed there. She could withstand the hurt of knowing she would never be loved. She could survive the pain of realizing Ben would choose to be with anyone else given the opportunity.

She couldn't bear the sudden knowledge that this was all just ... pretend to him. That even in their good moments he was just an actor playing the part. That he didn't enjoy the few quiet moments together, or dancing with her at a party. It was just too much.

In reality, Ben's truthful statement was nothing she shouldn't have already known. Even in Paris Ben had enforced the idea that they had to be over the top in love when they returned home. That they had to sell the lie she trapped them into. Melody shouldn't have been surprised that he hadn't settled into the lie as easily as she, but she was nevertheless. A heavy sigh escaped her then. Once more, she was the creator of her own misery.

"It's alright," she stated again, this time weaker. "You never wanted this." He said as much in Paris. Melody was just stupid enough to believe he changed. "We have to sell the lie, right?"