"You have to," she says bluntly. "This is a nice enough way to live for me, and it's the only way everyone else will be able to live, too. You don't have a choice."

That came out a bit more pitiless than Melanie had really meant it to, and she cautiously steps forward and lays a hand on Daniel's shoulder. "I'm sorry," she says quietly. "It's very kind of you to want to help me." And foolish, but she keeps that thought to herself. "But this is best." She pats his shoulder, a bit less awkwardly than she had with Aziraphale.