For a second, Melody was speechless. Ben's unhappiness she could live with, she supposed, but him giving up on their farce of a marriage was wholly unexpected. Was that why he'd told Arthur? Because he was intending to slowly withdraw from the lives he insisted they lead? She internally winced as the knife scratched the china, the scraping sound louder than it ought to be at a newlywed's dinner table. Did Aldous know, too? They were pleasant enough with one another, awkward for sure, but could hold a basic small talk conversation without flinching. To think she was to lose the only family she had left was more disheartening than she once imagined it might be.

"It's our first Christmas as a married couple," she reminded him with a huff, her eyes still glued to her plate. "I cannot imagine it would be a good look for us to be separated for the day. Appearances and all." That, and the thought of being alone on Christmas curdled her insides.