if he could, he wouldn't

[navi tasan]

Is the second sentence correct:

1) He gave me the money because I forced him to. If he could, he wouldn't have given it to me.


The meaning is clear, but I am not sure 'if he could' works here. The idea is that if he could not pay me, he wouldn't, but the sentence makes one think that the meaning is that if he could pay me, he wouldn't.

Gratefully,
Navi

 

[Tarheel]

Perhaps:

If he had had a choice he wouldn't have given me the money.

"He gave me the money because I forced him to" needs no explanation.

 

[jutfrank]

I think it just about works but it does make one think twice. Best avoided.

 

[emsr2d2]

I'd end with "If he could have refused, he would have".