Another silence enveloped them. The road ahead was obscured by fog, for every choice that might afford them happiness came at the price of their child. They couldn't divorce without a scandal so large it would follow the baby forever and they couldn't continue their happily married performance a second longer. But, what did that leave other than two souls coexisting miserably in a house together? They would consume one another's souls like a dementor attack, sucking it out until there was nothing but hollow shells remaining.

Melody stared down at her lap and bit the inside of her lip sharply to keep the tears at bay. Not having an answer tonight was even more frightening than the thought of him leaving, never to return. She couldn't remain as she was, living from packed trunks with constant anxiety. She would rather be destitute, for at least then she would know.

When the answer finally came to her minutes had to have passed. Long, excruciating minutes that would prove to be the private end of their marriage. "You don't want me," she sniffled, unable to stop herself this time. How terrible it was to feel so hated. "So we remain married in name only. No more pretending, no more lies."