
I don’t like the miscommunication when it’s done badly but it definitely makes sense here.
The miscommunication comes not from them necessarily withholding information for whatever reason plot deems necessary, but from their different styles of dating.
Some of these things you don’t notice early on in a relationship so I’m enjoying seeing them grapple with their different values.

I definitely get it. My mom died when I was in my early twenties and my brother was 6. I became his main caregiver. He had angry fits in the beginning probably because he didn’t know how to process his loss now he doesn’t have them but he sometimes looks sad because life’s really hard. I want to keep him from the worlds harm, some things he shouldn’t have to worry about but then I get scared that I might die soon and want to get prepare him for a life without me. It’s hard trying to balance raising an independent kid but also one that can lean on others.
I wish I had a map for this . Also, It’s been soo long since I’ve read a villain ( Lister), an actual abuser, grade A asshole, and I KNOW and the story REFLECTS that what he’s doing is BAD. We’re not going to have a redemption arc, there’s no excuse for his actions, I don’t empathise and the author isn’t trying to make me empathise either. He’s such a horrible person. I hate him. I hate Lisbet. I hate the chancellor lady. All terrible people!