Greg recovered quickly from his injuries and was back to work in no time. Hailey was thankful that he healed so fast. Now they could begin work on wedding plans! It seemed like they hardly got to spend any time together between both of them working and Hailey preparing things for the wedding. Hailey became more worried as the day drew nearer because Greg still didn't know about her troubled past.

She wanted to tell him when they first started dating, but she liked him too much to just dump all this on him before she got to know him. So, one night a few days before the wedding, she decided it was time to tell him.

"God, please give me strength to do this", she prayed silently. Hailey took a deep breath. "Greg, now that we're engaged, I need to tell you something about my past."

"Sure, sweetie, you know that you can tell me anything", Greg replied warmly. Hailey was so glad she found a man who was a talker and a listener.

"Well, I don't really like talking about this, but when I was 13, my parents got divorced. I was heartbroken. Then, only 6 months after the divorce was finalized, my mom's new boyfriend Jerry moved in with us. He was nice at first, and my brother and I actually became pretty close with him.

Everything was fine between us until Jerry started to compliment me on my looks. Every time we were alone, he would tell me how pretty he thought I was or what a great body I had. I didn't mind at first until he started to touch me inappropriately when my mom wasn't around. I knew he wasn't just being friendly. I didn't tell my mom because she seemed so happy with Jerry." Greg continued to listen contently.

"The breaking point came one day after school. I came home alone that day because my brother had practice. I walked in the house and saw Jerry waiting for me. When I asked him where mom was, he just said she had to go to the store. He told me she would be home shortly.

I believed him and went to my room and started my homework. I was working quietly and I didn't hear Jerry come in. He went and sat on my bed and said he wanted to talk to me" Hailey continued, her eyes becoming teary. "So I went over by him. After I sat on my bed, he held me down and raped me." A tear streamed down Hailey's cheek as all the pain of that day came rushing back. "I always thought Jerry was a good guy, but I guess I was wrong." Hailey began to sob.

"Baby, I'm so sorry." Greg said, pulling her close and feeling the moisture of her tears on his shirt. Hailey wiped her eyes and tried her best to maintain her composure. "After he raped me, he got into his car and left. No one ever heard from him again. I told my mom and she was furious, but there was nothing we could do. After what Jerry did to me, I developed an intense hatred toward men. I thought I could never trust a man again. I never wanted to get close to anyone like I did with Jerry.

I never really dated anyone in high school because I was afraid that if I opened up to them or trusted them I would get hurt even worse than before." Greg continued to hold her and comfort her.

"The reason I'm telling you this now, Greg is so that you're not disappointed in the physical part of our relationship after we get married. I've never been with a man willingly before, so I may be extremely tense and hesitant on our wedding night", Hailey continued to whimper and sob.

"I've forgiven Jerry in my heart, but that doesn't change the fact that he stole the most precious gift I planned on giving you, my husband, on our wedding night."

Hailey began to cry again and Greg could see the hurt in her eyes.

"Honey, it's alright, you can't change what that creep did to you."

"I wanted to tell you sooner, but I was afraid you wouldn't want to be with me anymore."

"Listen, Hailey, its not like I'm any expert in the physical department, but we'll go as slow as you want. We have the rest of our lives to perfect that part of our marriage. Besides, we can learn together, know what I mean?" Hailey smiled and kissed Greg.

"I'm so glad I have you, Greg"

"No Hailey, I'm so glad I have you."