Was under the impression that Victoria Konefal wanted out herself, tho has been willing to come back for the very short times. I think that is what ReRon was referring to about being hard to write for a couple if one is gone a lot of the time, & they make up excuses for the absences. In this case, Ben is constantly left in limbo, as they cannot have him move on, Victoria won't commit.
Personally, perhaps actors would not be wanting to leave if there was good story for their character to begin with. However, if an actor wants to stretch their wings, and doesn't want to be tied down to a contract, nothing to do.
I feel the part could have been recast, so THAT is on the show, not the actor or writer.