
The truth of the matter is that, like real people, trashy people like red-haired-dude don’t usually change how they act. And people who know their worth and relationship standards would NEVER stay with him after being put through all that (including DV mind you, the man GOT KNOCKED OUT AND PUT IN THE HOSPITAL).
He’s going to stay a stalker, toxic, abusive, and narcissistic. Those traits would not and do not change just because he went through something traumatic.
What I dont like is that the rape felt like a ploy to get readers hooked, empathetic, and hopeful for a happy ending. It wasn’t necessary tbh.

Ending at the beginning is wild, most BLs would have another 1-2 seasons of relationship issues. But, in all honesty, this story was very wholesome and a breath of fresh air from all the dubcon/noncon toxic plots and Id hate for it to get dragged along Im okay letting my mind run wild with fluff and cute dates, loved it
I don’t think ML deserves as much hate as he’s getting. He literally doesn’t know how bad MC has it cause MC wont divulge the car incident or the dinner or his overall familial history in detail. And, be honest, hearing that someone’s brother wants to kill them is hard to believe irl. Like ML has skepticism like any normal human being.
As for using MC. Pretty sure MC approached ML to use him as well. Thats the whole point of the contract. And when he read it, he said “this favors ML a lot more” — he isnt stupid. Literally everything in the story points to him being fully aware and intellectually capable — he knows how the contract reads, and he even starts formulating a way to snag ML into a marriage for protection. He’s calculating and attempting to manipulate the situation too.
He’s desperate. ML used his desperation, thats for sure, but MC always knew the contract/deal was sus from the start. Not to mention, ML is desperate himself in his own way.
MC is also using him for protection. He wants ML to be a shield without telling ML everything in detail — which has lead to a lot of skepticism on ML’s part. Not to mention, MC is already deeper in his bag than ML.
This entire relationship isnt built on romance, intimacy, and trust. Its built of selfish needs and desperation on both sides. Its grounds for a lot of miscommunication, no communication, and probably some dangerous experiences.
MC is in need of dire saving, life or death. I think its clear that he’s meant to fall first and get his heart broken first. So ML is naturally a butt face. But I dont think he’s acting out of character or that he’s worse than MC when it comes to selfishness and manipulation.