As I went back and read it again, I still see the interpretation of the WAS's point of view... she wouldn't defend her honor... the one regret...with no sleep tonight.
I can imagine the inner turmoil that had to go through these people's minds, at least occasionally. They will never admit it, but they do know right from wrong, and until they could twist things around in their heads to justify it, there had to be moments of, What the hell did I just do?!
The thing is, will they ever come back to see this once they buy into their own justifications, or will they just stick to it, since it hurts less? My in-laws are better my X stays right where he is right now, forever. He's the kind of person who can never be wrong.