All Comments on 'Back to Bristol Ch. 03'

drag the writing out and still you got the same thing,a lot of hot air.write good,but a little long winded.you like to read your writing.

So far this story has been interesting. Gary, you are doing a good job of teasing us readers with hints that are making us crazy. I'm just glad that each chapter is coming along on a daily basis.

I disagree with Harry to some degree on why this chapter was necessary. I think that the hints from Anne and Frank and Molly's behavior will become very important as time goes on. Gary did warn us that this was a multi part slow story.

One thing that I found very interesting was Molly's choice of words when she discussed Peter. "He loves her very much". At no point did Molly ever comment that she loves him as much or even if she loves him at all. Maybe she was trying to be politic with her ex, but I get the real impression that she is not totally happy.

If I had to make a prediction, I almost get the feeling that Molly is more resigned to her current marriage than thrilled. She blames herself for screwing up her prior marriage and for hurting her ex. More to the point she finds her behavior in cheating to be unforgiveable and has no expectations of redemption. That would explain her resolve "not to screw up again". Even if she isn't as happy with Peter, she feels that she has no right to look for forgiveness from the ex. She puts on a brave front about being the loving wife, but her depth of feeling for him does not match his feeling for her: she is just trying to survive with the consequence of her actions.

Oh well, it's Gary's story and a good one so far. Just don't tease us too long!

CCM

I noticed one thing about Molly's defence of her husband, she said that he loved her very much, in fact even her mother said the same thing. However, not once did anyone say she loved him.

Chris seems a little dense when it comes to intimacy. His not calling his children when he moved into his apartment was actually pretty stupid. I am sure he loves his kids, but by not calling the first thing, it is obvious that his kids are second best after his job. That probably is the reason thay Molly sought someone else to confide in. Chris still does not realize that Molly still loves him, a lot.

I think Doctor Wyldcard has the right, her telling Chris about the affair was to be a wakeup call that there was a huge problem with their marriage. Chris just did not read the clues, and still four years later, he still does not get it.

I like this story, I hope it is not going to be resolved soon. I think this is going to be a 'novelette' as the chapters go on, hopefully Chris will finally become mature enough to have some kind of meaningful relationship.

I am kind of hoping that Chris gets back with Molly. Only though when Chris finally grows up.

I have to laugh at some of the comments that claim this chapter was a waste. No story covers only the high points -there has to be dialogue in between. For my part, Gary, drag it out a long as you want to as I'm enjoying "every" chapter.

I agree with the previous poster. Spinning the yarn in a pleasing style is what makes this author's work so intriguing. If you suffer from ADD, take your medication before reading subsequent chapters.

Great story but post it all at once.

MLH

Oh yes we needed this one.<p>

First you have to remember Gary's style. It's like a slow cooker, takes bloody FOREVER for the food to get done but when it is the dinner is amazing. <p>

And yes we have hints. LOTS of juicy hints.<p>

1: Like several have pointed out, everyone says the new husband loves her but never says she loves him.<p>

That's a hint, some people, parents, act like our hero never loved his wife but at least this one does. Boy will THEY be surprised.<p>

And it also shows that maybe she is wistful in her thinking here with the hero, she went for the man that loved her, but not the man she loves.<p>

2: Molly is hot happy and joyful. Buyer's regret?<p>

"I know he loves me, but I loved my ex and he made me happy."<p>

3: The conspiracy. Yes I said it. We have TOO many people connected and semi connected that are 'hinting' that there is something more. Heck even the Hero is with all of his 'she looked like she wanted more'<p>

OK show of hands. Who here agrees that if he said that the reason he was back was for her she would have tackled him right there and made plans to move?<p>

4: THE WIFE IS JEALOUS OF THE EX GIRL FRIEND! Your ex husband has moved on, you feel guilt that you hurt him but he finds a lovely woman that seems to make him happy. What do you do?<p>

IF you happily married now, you have a BIT of regret then thank God he's happy.<p>

If not... ;)<p>

Now we REALLY haven;t seen the wife, we don;t know her BUT she seems a BIT needful and romantic. She wanted him to be the white knight and show up to stop her re-marriage, she wanted him to fight her for the kids to show he cared, she wanted him to get angry and at her and prove it in the loudness of his voice that he loved her. SOMETHING.<p>

Even now she wants him to break down in tears and to cry in regret in front of her.<p>

She needs that...and Harry before you start, my wife is the SAME way.<p>

The difference is me. I give my wife the time, AND I have LEARNED, yes men learned, to show and give her emotion. I tell her my fears, and she gets to cry and feel we have connected, I tell her my joys and she can celebrate as well, I tell her my hurts and ... well you get the point.<p>

Now our hero is not like that....yet.<p>

The key verse here is this :<b> 'I didn't know what to say, and I suspected that if I opened my mouth, my emotions would fall out.'</b><p>

OH COME ON! I know the brits are all 'stiff upper lip and all' but this guy takes the cake with a bit of ice cream on the side.<p>

IF i am right in many of my guesses, and yes I am changing and reevaluating them with EVERY chapter, then his opening up will be the key to getting her back.

I am really enjoying this! String it out as long as you want. The first thing I do every morning is sign on to Literotica and look for you submission. They say anticipation is half the pleasure, I don't know about that. However, I do know I am going to miss this story terribly when it finally concludes. You provide me with pleasure and food for thought everyday. Thanks

keep going. please.

... that there were to much names and to much facts in chapter 01. It was a little boring. The story started like a car with a wet ignition distributor. But it escaped very well. And now I' very exited in expectance what happens next.

<p>Sorry about my bad written english but I enjoy your writing</p>

<p>Thank you very much. That's good entertainment now.</p>

<b>Nucleus</n>

I'm hooked on the story, but yes, the author is dragging the story. There were a lot of repetitive information from previous chapters and the only thing new we got is that Molly seems to regret her romantic affair - that and our hero meeting his children while his mother is still a bitch. I'm hooked, but yet, I'm bored. Please start moving this story.

Excellent! This is a story with a new twist to me. You are an excellent author and I have enjoyed your previous postings. This promises to be your best so far.

Thank you for your efforts.

Roger

Another great chapter! Keep them comming.

and please write more chapters like a novel please.

More than any thing, given Molly's penchant for impromptu tears, I think the best "revenge," beyond the personal accomplishments, the jag, the beautiful girl friends, etc. is a simple set of lines, delivered it with sincerity, emotions, etc., which will be totally true in Chris's case here: <p>

"Molly, we all make mistakes, big and small. You and I, when we first married, our naive notions about love, fidelity, trust, honor, etc. didn't stand a chance against reality... <p>

"I thought you were my soul mate.... someone I was going to grow old with, someone whose wrinkled hands and smiles I would treasure more in our old age, someone whom I had hoped to die before she did ... because I did not think I would survive without her next to me....

"... But reality was different from our wishes... you had other plans ... You went for whom you loved more... or for somone who said they, even at the outset, loved you more than I did. Some one whose words and actions, within a few months, earned your trust and love more than my words and actions... Either that or I must have neglected you is some inexcusable way, failing you... <p>

If the former, there was nothing I could have done; if for the latter, I am so sorry to have failed you. Bitter as I was, for a long time, now I am happy for you.... even when we were still together, that was my ultimate goal: <p>

"to work hard and be successful, so I would provide you and the children with a good life, and thus it'd make you happy.... Athough you and I will live out our lives separately, other than helping each other to take care of the children we had together, your happiness is important to me; after all my sons, our sons, won't be raised properly if their mother was not happy....

"Again.... you've found your destiny in your current husband... Wish me luck in my quest to find that someone who would love me as much as I thought I had once loved you...a love so deep, so total, so irrational for a person so important that whose thoughts, actions, acceptance and rejection have the power to haunt me for years..."

Chris so far is meeting the players in this plot and trying to deal with the past, as we all have in our lives. But character and morals are something that each character has and the author has done an excellent job in portraying that.

Looking forward to following this story and believe that someone in this company will try to sabotage Chris's job and life.

Excellent story.

i sure hope that this story is not about reconciliation. well written and hopefully a chapter or two or three shorter than the other story.

This is really good! There are so many ways that you can take this story and I suspect it will head in most of them before the end. I think Dr. Wyldcard coverd most of those areas, somehow I suspect there are some you have that he didn't. A well written, long story is a treasure. Take as many chapters as you need to tell it right.

I am hooked on this one. The author has the ability to convey more eroticism by clever use of words than many can do with outright sexual descriptions. It is a well written odyssey of the modern day.

Just couldnt hold off and I didnt know how long it would be - still dont really. <p><p>

I agree that people are trying too hard to make the ex out to be blameless here. Who cares if she isnt happy? Who cares if she regrets losing her husband, making her children unhappy, and breaking up their stable home? Lots of people regret lots of things but it doesnt mean shit irl. <p><p>

Anyway, I hope that they dont get back together. Who would want a woman like she is? If she got her good old stable husband back now, it would seem like she was being rewarded. Now that she's seen the grass isnt really greener, she gets a do-over and the only one to suffer is her ex and her kids. Sounds like rewarding a faithless bitch to me and it will do nothing but reinforce her behavior (tell her its ok to keep looking for something better while pretending to love the husband and letting him pay the bills).<p><p>

Good story so far just like I expected from one of my favorite authors. Some dont like his style but I really enjoy how he builds a story and reveals hints/clues a little at a time. Frustrates me sometimes which is why I wanted to read it all at once (I couldnt hold out though) but its still enjoyable to read up until you are at the end and waiting for the next chapter. Maybe a little too much about business in some spots especially given that its a pretty dry subject - if the guy had a more exciting job it might help but generic middle manager type isnt really the stuff most peoples dreams are made of. Thanks very much for writing. <p><p>

PS - My theory about what is going on is that the new husband's research is somehow involved (drugs, hypnotizing, etc). He went from a loser that nobody wanted to a Casanova type who screwed married women and broke up marriages left and right. Even if the first husband does get revenge eventually, I think he should kick the shit out of the guy's boss who is always sticking up for him. Its wont be enough for the guy to say 'omg, i had no idea peter would do something so despicable'. He cracked jokes about the guy being an immoral little shit so he shouldnt get a do-over when all the dirty laundry comes out either.

WHERE did I ever say this was the husband's fault?<p>

No where...<p>

What I said was, the wife wanted more. she wanted someone to listen to her, to there for her and all that jazz.<p>

Was he there? YES, but NOT to her mind. Now she realizes, buyer's remorse, that SHE fucked up being a little selfish girl. <p>

What she wanted was the entire romantic lover boy dream. Hey did anyone notice that she cheated around the 7 year mark of their marriage?<p>

Yeah you get it, the marriage started to roll into that LONG TERM gear. And she didn't like it. While MAYBE, note the maybe, he took the marriage for granted, she EXPECTED him to do something else, to BE something else. Maybe instead of realizing that it's not all romances and deep meaningful talks but sometimes it's the only long conversation you have that day is about the laundry.<p>

Just as his career to support the LARGE family she wanted was kicking into gear, so he didn't have all that great time on his hands to hold hers, she started to want the love and romance of the fresh start.<p>

So what happened? She realized that she messed up, that marriages GET LIKE THAT and she is the total blame.<p>

heck folks,...in a way it's called growing up. And yes she did and DOES need to do so.<p>

Now I see this story becoming a recon...does that mean I think it SHOULD be a recon?<p>

Nope<p>

I have to agree somewhat with Average Joe in that, to me, it would be like rewarding her for cheating to give her a do over, probably with a fast pregnancy with a little girl and everything.<p>

I disagree on the mind control bit...gods I hope it don;t go there. Always seemed a bit of a cop out to me "oh honey i did it because some one controlled me'<p>

Dear gods...you messed up. Live with it.<p>

Harry I THINK that you are in some ways mistaking my analyzing the story as for 'what I would like to happen' and 'why he's to blame'.<p>

Now in 90% of women's affairs , or so from what LITTLE I know, the husband does have SOME blame. Not much but SOME. Like in this story, IF I AM RIGHT, he holds...like 5-10% of the blame.<p>

That's it.<p>

She felt left out and that he wasn't opening up to her? TALK TO HIM YOU HYPOCRITE!! He can;t read you mind no matter how much you read that your TRUE LOVE can!<p>

What do I think would be interesting? Have a story where she ends up breaking her NEW husband's heart and leaves 'because she doesn't really love him' and the Ex moves on with some other great gal <p>

Couse if she doesn't love the new guy, like most of us agree, then WHAT THE HELL IS SHE DOING? Letting HIM pay the bills while she waits for something better come along?<p>

Seriously folks. The gal is messed up in the head. But we have to wait to see what Gary is doing.<p>

Now for two small questions and I swear I will end this novel :<p>

1: Why doesn't the parents like the ex husband?<p>

2: Why are the kids being such a hassle?<p>

Like any good writer, you have to look at EVERYTHING that is written and see if there is something else there. i wonder....<p>

At least the story is coming out at a regular pace AND is semi descent length for each chapter.<p>

I really like all the little twists and turns this one is taking. I wonder who the husband is going to end up with. What happens if Chris takes the kids back with him and Molly ends up with no humband and no kids. I don't know how anyone could really accomplish it--but it just a thought--my 2 cents worth.

After reading all the comments, I'd have to say the prize goes to Average-Joe. He seems to be the only one to catch the clue about Molly and needles. Something connected with the lab suddenly gave Peter Fucking Davies the ability to 'acquire' women he shouldn't be able to get. He became a Don Juan. He was just so infatuated with Molly that he decided to keep her. Molly's reactions make more sense to me if she was somehow coerced into going whith Davies. This concludes my shot in the dark, thank you for coming.

To the people speculating whether Chris and Molly will get back together, I pointed out in my chapter 1 comment that "reconciliation" is one of the tags attached to this story. For those that don't know, story tags appear at the bottom of the last page of the stories/chapters on this site (beneath the "comments" section). Among this story's other tags is "revenge"--so there 'ya go. I apologize if I spoiled the ending or the enjoyment of the story for anyone, but you must admit, those tags were in place since chapter 1. If anyone wanted to know what to expect, all they had to do was jump ahead to the bottom of the last page. So, knowing what's down the road, I'm just enjoying the ride getting there.

I should have put a smilie at the end and not got sidetracked with the new husband's boss being a prig. It started out to be facetious like 'wouldnt it be good if we found out it wasnt the wife's fault and everything went back to normal and they lived happily ever after' but I got distracted. I dont really think this author would do that either given his previous stories. <p><p>

One of the things I really like about him (author) is that he makes the women/wives in his stories real people who are just as capable and responsible for their own actions as the men. Many cheating authors who end up reconciling most/all of the time seem to think that women are some kind of second class citizens and that they cant really be held responsible for anything - they get a bit mad but then just kind of brush everything under the rug and shrug their shoulders saying 'oh well, what can you expect from a woman'. This author doesnt do that. <p><p>

The woman in his stories are just as capable as the men and they dont get a pass just because they cry a few tears and mutter a few platitudes about making mistakes. Sometimes they reconcile but the wife has to take responsibility for her actions to do it. They can reconcile but if they do reconcile its because of the right reason (at least it was in the first TGI Chronicles) and not because the husband is some kind of throwback who thinks women have to be coddled and guarded.

I do think the author is going to do something wrt to coercion of the wife. Maybe not out and out mind control, but some extenuating circumstances. I dont think the author will use it for a quick fix or instant reconciliation though. If they do reconcile, the wife wont get a free pass no matter what had happened with peter originally (short of full blown mind control which is too scifish for this author imo). The author will use the extenuating circumstances as a starting point to reopen communication between the two and as device that lets the husband transfer all his anger to peter. I still think it will be a bad idea and unless the author is very careful, its going to come back and bite him on the ass though. I agree with others that 'its not her fault' plot devices are weak and hard to pull off. They cheapen the whole story and mute any emotions (except maybe anger) that the author spent time provoking in the reader.

I agree, flat out mind control wouldn't be GaryAPB's style, but I stand by my belief that Molly's aversion to needles is a significant clue. I take a further clue from all the 'corporate-speak' noted in the earlier chapters. This is a corporate intrigue just as much as a domestic one. Where do these plots intersect? With Mr. Davies and the lab. Somewhere in that lab is the key to Davies' ability to mislead or coerce Molly. The eventual reconcilliation between Chris and Molly may not extend to reunification, but Extenuating Circumstances are on the way. Thank you for indulging my ravings, I'm sure Gary will manage to fool (and entertain) us all.

I just have to tell you that I love your comments. I don't always agree with them; but often when I don't I come to see a different viewpoint from what I initially have read.

This site would be far less interesting without the public comments.

I think that Peter was just a late bloomer. Many that are above average in studies are rebuffed in social settings during high school and college. Then when they get out into adulthood they develope a better personal life/love life. It can be the confidence one gets from being good at their job.

As for Peter and Molly's romance. I think that the seven year itch was setting in for her and Chris was getting busy at work. Most women think that us men can "read" their moods and should react without direct communication. Guess what, most of us men can't "read" these moods, Chris could not either. I think that Peter was just enjoying his wild oats and really was not thinking long term at all. He was enjoying his new abilities with women and she was looking for something she felt was missing from her marriage. When she confessed to Chris about her affair she thought that they would dicuss it and "fix" what she felt was missing in their marriage. Chris reacted like most cheated spouses do, he lost all trust in her and that overruled his love for her.

I think that Peter and Molly's life is not the great love that everyone thinks it is. Short term lust and the newness blinded both of them to the true cost of their affair. Peter only offered to marry her after he felt the guilt that she was going to lose so much in the divorce. Molly realizes that her first marriage was much more than her second is.

As for the business setting??? I like it. It makes a nice back drop for this story.

GaryAPB keep this story going. JD Seller

Gary, I‘m liking your story so far and you warned it could be a long haul. As the plot stands, I’m tending to favour there is a conspiracy and I also believe that Chris has done nothing wrong in Molly’s eyes; however, she knows ‘something’ that she couldn’t or shouldn’t reveal to even her then and now ex husband!

Molly works at a Hospital and that’s where she met Peter who happened to be doing some research (?) at her place of work at the time.

I’m awaiting answers to the questions: What is Peter doing every Wednesday, for he is away from his usual place of work and it seems an event condoned by his boss. Does Molly know about Wednesdays? Why is everybody falling over themselves to say what a great guy Peter is? Why should a ‘Don Juan, change overnight into a caring devoted husband, whose searching for respect from his step children?

I can’t believe it’s to do with drugs, but perhaps a virus strain…maybe!

I do not know where you are taking this story, nor if I will like the outcome. I DO KNOW that I am thoroughly enjoying the journey. Your writing storyline, style, tone, and characterizations have kept me riveted through 3 chapters. I am particularly impressed that you chose to unfold your story mainly through dialog and not prose.

If you have not given serious thought to publishing your work in more formal form, please do so. You are a writer my friend, and it is pleasure reading your work.

Your story continues to be interesting with a rather mystifying plot, in which former wife Molly seems to be less than thrilled by her new marriage and insists that Chris was fine husband who did nothing wrong in their marriage. She then continues to plead for new husband and tell Chris what a fine man he is and how much he appears to love her, but she never tells Chris how much she loves him, Chris, on the other hand , seems quite wooden with Molly and appears to fear any emotional tint to their conversation. I still think it's an odd plot in which Molly and Chris still appear to love each other and Molly seems to have married new husband almost out of pity for him or as a duty to him. --Mystifying relationship. Reminiscent of story I read a few years ago in which wife left husband to marry lover and found lover was a spousal abuser, but she would not leave him, because she swore she would never go through another divorce. Does not seem to be case here since new husband does not seem to be an abuser, but Molly does not seem to be happy in her new marriage.

60 year old George

Her having a husband never seemed to bother her or Peter, why is it such an issue now?

He may not be able to sack Davies, or demote him or such, but certainly he can make life difficult in other ways. Maybe there’s some dispute Peter is involved in – if there’s no skin of Chris’s nose, take the other side; if Peter is up for promotion, unless there’s some overwhelming reason to give it to him, DON’T!

She’s got NO right to tell him how to think of Peter, and it’s no skin off of Chris’ nose how the kids treat Peter.

His ONLY concern should be with how things affect the boys – if they’re okay, if Peter and Molly can’t deal with things, TOUGH!

I don’t know why he thinks he would be such a terrible husband to Helene; just because MOLLY cheated on him doesn’t mean there is anything wrong with HIM.

She apologized for Susan’s rudeness, but I didn’t notice any promise to talk to her and correct her!

Why do his friends want him to be so concerned about Molly's happiness? Where were they when she was betraying him? As he says, she's had FOUR YEARS to take some sort of action if she regrets what she did. In an case, if she has "buyer's remorse", that's HER problem, NOT his!

I agree with KarenE.

How the fuck did this guy not fall asleep writing this?

Well I gave this a go because it had decent ratings but I've read technical specifications that were more riveting than this story about management shakeups and a 4 year old divorce.

On Peter? You bet your ass but first would be my sons welfare. Anyone who couldn't see that when Chris moved back home Peter wouldn't be working for him should read more. There are only so man ways to fill a story plot, coincidences happen every day but this was needed for the drama. Every time I hear someone in a movie or on tv say they don't believe in coincidences I want to scream.

"Change is not mandatory, but then again, survival is not mandatory." This is a slight variation of an Ed Deming quote. He was a man who tried to interest major manufacturers and unions in his proven ideas of Total Quality Management (TQM) after WWII. In their arrogance none were interested. Japan needed to become efficient so they were receptive, they listened and they learned. It wasn't till some 30 years later that brains began to function in the U.S. and there was interest in his ideas. Signed: BTW

I’m really enjoying the story very much. Sorry for the poor rating it really was an accident that I can’t figure out how too correct. I’ve scored 5 stars on all previous chapters and meant to give 5 stars again on this chapter as well. You’re an exceptional writer. I can’t wait to continue on in this series. Thanks for your story submission. Awesome work.

a commenter thinks the tale is boring. More's the pity. Some people need car chases and exploding buildings to be interested; others among us find interest in a psycholgical story, of which this is a fine example.

Now, what the hell is this? "I didn't move an inch on my guess that he was an immoral little shit"

"Guess"? In standard English this makes no sense in context. He knows what Davies is and has stated so several times. As Davies is written, a reader of merely ordinary moral sensibility would be hard pressed to disagree. Is this a "Briticism"? A turn of phrase that is idiosyncratic to Britain?

read one of 'wretchedMonkey's stories...But...there isn't any.

So,how come he bad mouths an authors efforts? He's a turd that's why.

this guy is a pathetic wimp, constantly harping on about him not being a good father

I have read the complete series of Back to Bristol stories some time ago; now I consider GaryAPB a very good story writer and teller. I find nothing again 09/27/2022 in this whole series that justifies even the slightest demeaning remarks. My reading again on 09/27/2022 justifies a firm high rating. Myself, I'm just normal life challenged person that's waiting for the final Call.

Mmmmm I’m still reading, it’s slow paced but you’re keeping to the plot by my reckoning

It seems the MC is focused on the ex wife new husband as his protagonist, while giving the cheating ex wife a free pass. Yes Peter went after a married woman but she is the one who cheated, it doesn’t matter how good a charmer a predator is, if the wife is loyal then all predators efforts are in vain. But in this case Molly was receptive, Molly is the one who let the predator into the family home, she is solely responsible for the destruction of her marriage not Peter. It was not Peter job to safe guard Molly marriage that was Molly job. But the MC seems to have forgotten that he wasn’t married to Peter, Peter was a prick that for certain but he wasn’t Married, all the blame is squarely on Molly, she is the one who destroyed her children happiness. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I am enjoying the storyline so far. Obviously you have been scene setting so things are a little slow paced. The spelling and grammar are first rate and the writing flows easily.

As for the characters, there appears to be a good mix , as you would expect. I understand that the MC is treading carefully with the Peter Davies character and he has to be very careful as to how he treats him professionally, due to employment laws.

However, he is treating his ex-wife far too preciously. She cheated on him, she broke up their marriage and family and could have so easily destroyed him personally and professionally. He is treating her with kid gloves and half the time, appears to feel sorry for her. She let the Fox into the henhouse and as far as I can see, she has got away it’s it.

I will wait to see what happens over the next couple of chapters but I do hope that he isn’t going to turn into a total wimp.

That’s enough. Another undeserved H. If it really means Hot. The level if detail is akin to asking what time it is and being told how to build a watch.

While the writing is good, the plot and execution is boring as hell. I’m done.

No more self flagellation. Only a generous 3.

"He's my husband."

Why didn’t she ever say that to Peter?!

Okay, my earlier comments were not all that flattering, but as of this section, I am all in… if this can be maintained.

Still here! And the same comments about the comments!

I'd imagine and hope that the H for hot was a metric regarding the numbers of readers over a time frame with reference to high scoring showing satisfaction. rather than some arbitary and subjective label applied by some random minion at literotica. But then what do I know, other than plenty of stories with H next to them are neither to my taste nor particularly well written.

This story is well written, I have no problem with it's meandering storyline, clearly the author wants to write a real story rather than some whack off fantasy, just as clearly those out to see the female protagonist suffer while they whack are unhappy and have made this known in the comments.

My sole problem with this story is that it's all playing on the affectation of missing information through poor communication. It's obvious the MC never had a sensible discussion with his soon to be ex wife at the time her affair became known, nor has he had one since and because of that we have to wade through pages of 'what I do at work, how important am I'... which honestly isn't that bad, but I really do hope that the eventual denouement makes it all worthwhile and it doesn't all hinge on some pathetic falsehood, misunderstanding, date rape drug, I was helping him get through... or other such common trope.