Responses
Someone here (other than me) is finally making some sense and telling it how it is.
Still no character development for Riftan? I stopped reading this because Im getting sick of him. I guess, I can now totally drop this story.
Listen, I get that he's flawed and he loves her. BUT he is emotionally abusive (stonewalling and neglect is abuse!) and sexually abusive (he ALWAYS tries to solve their relationship issues by coercing Maxi, especially later). I'm sick of him never saying goodbye to her when she leaves (multiple times) and giving her the cold shoulder every time she does anything he doesn't agree with.
Maxi is flawed too, but she's constantly working on improving her communication skills and confidence. Riftan doesn't even try to improve and doesn't believe he needs to change -- he just sulks or tries to fix things with sex (never followed by conversation). Or the author has him do a grand heroic gesture like saving her life or sacrificing himself -- sparing him from ever having to put real work into the relationship.