321 All-or-nothing

The car was filled with deafening silence following Lucy's declaration. Tom's expression didn't give away whatever he was thinking as he continued to drive, and he didn't bother to spare her a glance.

While Lucy was thinking that it had come out wrongly and she should apologize and explain herself properly so that Tom wouldn't misunderstand her, Tom, on the other hand, was wondering what could have possibly prompted her to make such a statement. He understood that what she meant was that she didn't want to get married, and it wasn't about him. Still, he couldn't understand why she brought it up this way.

"I am sorry that came out wrongly."

"I never said I wanted you to marry me," they both said at the same time and turned to look at each other.