The Groom She Never Wanted

Amy quickly grabbed his hand, worry all over her face.

"Bryan, what are you saying? How could I ever marry someone like him? The only person I'll ever be with is you."

Watching them cling to each other, I felt nothing.

"You don't have to worry. I'm leaving soon. If my dad can't find me, he'll give up."

Amy acted like she didn't hear a word. She grabbed my collar, eyes sharp. "If it weren't for you, would Bryan be humiliated like this? Get on your knees and apologize to him."

The sudden yank made my stomach twist.

The wound that had barely closed tore open again.

My knees slammed into the floor.

My breathing turned rough. I couldn't hold on anymore.

Amy watched me drop to my knees. Her face twisted with contempt.

"You really are pathetic. I tell you to kneel, and you kneel. No backbone at all. No woman would ever want a man like you."

I didn't have the strength to answer.

The burning in my chest spread inch by inch, grinding through my nerves.

I tried to stand. My vision went black. I collapsed.

"Cut the act. Trying to cling to me now?" She kicked me in disgust.

I didn't move.

Then she saw the blood at the corner of my mouth. Her voice finally changed.

"Call an ambulance. Now!"

***

I opened my eyes to a hospital room.

Amy sat beside the bed. A flicker of worry showed in her eyes.

I tried to move.

Pain ripped through my body. I sucked in a sharp breath.

"Don't move. The doctor said you broke three ribs, fractured your right arm, and have severe internal bleeding. If you got here any later, you might've..."

Her voice trailed off.

Then, softer, she asked, "Does your dad... hit you a lot?"

That's when I noticed the medical report in her hand.

Every injury was listed, line by line.

"I'm used to it." I turned my face away, not wanting to see pity in her eyes. "Thanks for bringing me here. I'll pay you back for the medical bills as soon as I can."

"Stop." Amy cut me off. "I... didn't know you were hurt this bad. If you're ever in trouble, I'll help however I can. Don't carry everything on your own anymore."

***

Third-Person POV

After leaving the hospital, Amy went home alone.

She lay on her bed, staring at the ceiling.

But the scars on Isaac's body wouldn't leave her head.

Just then, the door opened. Her dad, Vincent, walked in and sat down.

"Amy, about the engagement. I wanted to talk—"

"I'm not marrying him." The words slipped out before she could stop them.

Vincent sighed and pulled a document from his briefcase. "That's not what I meant. Isaac came to see me earlier. He said..."

Amy froze.

She took the document and read it.

Only then did she realize—

It was an agreement to dissolve the engagement.