In the book "King Rat" by James Clavell, a complex emotional situation unfolds between characters, particularly focusing on Grey and a female character. Grey discovers that the woman he is involved with is not as innocent as she had led him to believe. She had repeatedly suggested that she was a virgin, but this turned out to be untrue, which caused Grey significant pain. Despite knowing the truth, he chooses to keep pretending that he is unaware of her infidelity.

This scenario highlights themes of deception and emotional turmoil, as Grey grapples with feelings of betrayal and hurt. The relationship dynamics demonstrate how trust can be shattered by dishonesty, impacting Grey's feelings towards the woman and complicating their interactions. The internal conflict of knowing the truth but choosing to remain in the dark for the sake of emotional preservation adds depth to the narrative.