Melody realized her mistake only after he remained silenced by her statement. The potion that had landed her in the hospital was sought out by him. However, if Reuben was remorseful over it it wasn't a sentiment he'd shared with her. She had woke up in the hospital with him preoccupied by his upcoming duel. She had come home to spend her birthday in a nauseous haze with only brief check ins, if that, from him. Truthfully, Melody sometimes wondered if the whole incident was doctored to rid her of the pregnancy.

She remained quiet even as he met her gaze for the first time that evening. There was much she should say, she should find some way to absolve him of whatever guilt he carried from the ordeal. Forgiveness, though, wasn't a concept either of them had learned in their marriage. There were too many mistakes, too much grief and misery for either of them to ever truly move forward unburdened.

She dropped her eyes from him to her tea, choosing to remain silent as she added her drop of honey.