Honestly, I think this story would have been so much better if Riftan had been a side character rather than the ML. At least Maxi gets actual character development, whereas Riftan barely develops at all. Even after the separation arc, he still feels like the same stoic, patriarchal husband he has always been. And I think part of the problem is that the novel doesn't fully convey just how harsh he can be. His mouth never stops, and he keeps taking his anger out on Maxi, only to turn around and act like the victim. Like, bro, you dug your own grave, so why are you crying about it now? The crying scene especially annoyed me because YOU were the one who said you wouldn't see her again. So why are you acting heartbroken as if you weren't responsible for the situation in the first place? You can't keep hurting someone, making decisions for them, and then play the victim when the consequences finally catch up with you. Honestly, I think the story would have been much better if it had focused solely on Maxi's journey and character development. She actually grows as a person, but Riftan never seems to make any meaningful progress. He remains the same controlling, patriarchal husband, and his emotional outbursts don't magically count as character development.
Honestly, I think this story would have been so much better if Riftan had been a side character rather than the ML. At least Maxi gets actual character development, whereas Riftan barely develops at all. Even after the separation arc, he still feels like the same stoic, patriarchal husband he has always been. And I think part of the problem is that the novel doesn't fully convey just how harsh he can be. His mouth never stops, and he keeps taking his anger out on Maxi, only to turn around and act like the victim. Like, bro, you dug your own grave, so why are you crying about it now? The crying scene especially annoyed me because YOU were the one who said you wouldn't see her again. So why are you acting heartbroken as if you weren't responsible for the situation in the first place? You can't keep hurting someone, making decisions for them, and then play the victim when the consequences finally catch up with you. Honestly, I think the story would have been much better if it had focused solely on Maxi's journey and character development. She actually grows as a person, but Riftan never seems to make any meaningful progress. He remains the same controlling, patriarchal husband, and his emotional outbursts don't magically count as character development.