
I don't hate ML which is rare in this kind of story. Dude is emotionally constipated for sure....but, he did all the right things to help MC in secret, never even gave a hint of cheating (most of these stories use the "cheating misunderstanding" bullshit which is always ML'S fault for not straightout rejecting some bitch), and even in public he acted very respectful to her and rebuked anyone who dared speak badly of her.
He is the best partner in a political marriage....but not quite there as a partner in a loving marriage. I'm sure that if he married MC, she wouldn't want for anything and he would spoil her to the best of his effort but he is currently incapable of being the least bit passionate or emotional with her. Maybe some distance will do him well. But I'm happy that this is one of those stories where I'm truly rooting for growth and then a reunion between MC and ML.

I don't mind this. I don't prefer it but I don't mind it. Sure, Lyle is new to all this but if he truly hated any form of bdsm, hr would've told Ash. He was uncomfortable as any newbie would've been but he trusted Ash. It wasn't rape or anything like that. I think that people are just uncomfortable with the "experienced X newbie" dynamic which is understandable because oftentimes that lends itself to abuse and manipulation but this couple isn't like that.

also frankly thats just gonna happen sometimes. people are new to things. its good to have a partner who loves and understands you introduce you to it in a safe space. he followed all procedures - they picked toys together, have a safe word, conversed about it and went over deets in advance, set boundaries for the play etc. and lyle could have said Honey if he wanted but he chose drama and a proposal so here we are i think its obvious he enjoys it, just is new and needs a safe space to explore sexually bc hes been repressed his entire life. if anything, im proud of them for making it this far lol
i also think it was obvious that ash had dom tendencies. them making an appearance in this way feels like a reasonable progression in their relationship as they begin to trust each other more and perform less. it wasnt toxic at all, tbh a pretty wholesome adventure into BDSM, esp compared to a lot of titles on this here website

No no no no I mean sure, it was too much of smooth sailing and we were for sure going to have some issues soon but I hoped that the issue was going to be ML's lack of understanding of romantic relationships and a lot of human interactions......if he is a master manipulator then, with MC being the most naive little fluff ball to ever exist, this will have a major angst arc....dark days are upon us.
But to be fair, the cover of the story gives off evil manipulator ML vibe. I thought so before I read the first chapter and then the author slowly lulled me into a sense of safety and I forgot the first impression I got of this

I don't mind that ML isn't the "he is my fated person so, I'm obssessed with him already and I love him without knowing him", if anything, that perfectly aligns with a rational person's perspective and I prefer it. I dislike him because he is playing around with MC like some sick social experiment. He is basically studying whether his partner who is not aware of being a namer would still be attracted to him without that knowledge while he himself (ML) isn't even sure if he is serious about MC....so basically, it's the age old sleezy plot of "I'm not serious about this person but I want to fuck around and make them fall for me just to see if I can" with the added layer of bullshit fate

I know that some people get second ML syndrome for pretty much every story....I don't, it's very rare for me and this is one of those instances. Second ML isn't even toxic (unless the author decides to nuke their character in the future to make all readers root for ML). If anything, he acted as MC's hyung in many situations where he could've easily been an asshole and used MC's father's debt against MC...I don't even hate ML, I just dislike him a little but second ML has my heart in this one
Yikes what a creepy loser. Anyone in fiction or reality who sees someone in love with someone else and not only thinks "they gotta be mine" but tries to act on that ....is the world's biggest loser and I doesn't deserve to be happy