Enemies forced to marry

Frustration

Chapter 7

The drive to the hospital was unusually quiet.

David sat in the passenger seat, staring out of the window. His mother's words kept replaying in his mind.

She said you took away her virginity.

He clenched his fists.

He couldn't understand how everything had changed so quickly. Just the night before, Sally had held his hand and told him she was tired of being angry and afraid. Now she was accusing him of something he knew he hadn't done.

Sally sat quietly in the back seat, looking out of the window.

Mrs. Matthews kept her eyes on the road.

Finally, David broke the silence.

"Mum, why are we going to the hospital?"

"We'll talk when we get there," Mrs. Matthews replied.

David sighed. "Is this about Dad?"

Mrs. Matthews didn't answer.

Sally looked down at her hands.

For the first time, she began to wonder if her plan had gone too far.

When they arrived at the hospital, Mrs. Matthews led them through the corridor. David followed, confused and frustrated.

They stopped outside a room.

Mrs. Matthews turned around.

"Before we go inside, I need both of you to listen carefully."

David frowned. "Listen to what?"

"The truth."

Sally's face suddenly became pale.

Mrs. Matthews opened the door.

Inside was David's father, awake and sitting up in bed.

David froze.

"Dad?"

His father smiled weakly.

"David."

David rushed to his side.

"I thought you were unconscious!"

"I've been awake for some time," his father said. "Your mother didn't want to tell you until we were certain I was well enough."

David looked at his mother.

"Then why did you bring Sally here?"

Mrs. Matthews glanced at Sally.

"Because there is something we need to settle."

Sally's heart began pounding.

David's father looked between them.

"Your mother told me what happened."

David shook his head.

"Nothing happened, Dad. I swear."

His father nodded slowly.

"I believe you."

Sally looked up in surprise.

Mrs. Matthews crossed her arms.

"Then Sally needs to explain why she accused you."

Sally couldn't speak.

David stared at her.

"You said I hurt you."

"I was angry," Sally whispered.

"Angry enough to destroy everything between us?"

Sally's eyes filled with tears.

"I didn't think it would go this far."

David stepped back.

"What did you think would happen?"

Sally lowered her head.

"I wanted the wedding cancelled."

Everyone became silent.

Mrs. Matthews looked shocked.

"You planned all of this?"

Sally nodded.

"I was scared of the wedding. I didn't know how to tell everyone I didn't want it, so I thought making you angry with David would make the wedding fall apart."

David stared at her, hurt.

"So all those things you told my mum were part of your plan?"

"I'm sorry."

David shook his head.

"You didn't just make my mum angry. You made me feel like I couldn't trust you."

Sally wiped her eyes.

"I know."

Mrs. Matthews took a deep breath.

"The wedding is not the most important thing right now. Trust is."

David's father nodded.

"Nobody should be forced into a marriage they don't want."

Sally looked at Mrs. Matthews.

"I'm sorry."

Mrs. Matthews was still disappointed, but her voice softened.

"You should have told us the truth from the beginning."

Sally nodded.

"I know."

David looked toward the window.

For the first time since everything began, he felt like the truth was finally out.

But he also knew one thing.

Some broken trust could not be repaired with a simple apology.

And as they left the hospital later that afternoon, David wondered whether his relationship with Sally had just reached its end—or whether there was still a chance to make things right.