I disagree. The exchange of money was the thing that traumatised her in the first place.
It was a joke.
The story of Chuc is sewn with white thread. Let's compare Steph and Chuc.
Chuc.
Chuck fucked Steph. Chuck didn't love Steph. Quote from Steph: "Chuck just laughed at me. He never loved me!" Quote from Steph for MC: "At that point, I was guilty of keeping you in the dark about a couple of things, but you were hardly the poor fool." For Chuck, Steph is, in fact, a stranger. Chuck didn't talk about the money.
Steph.
A small note. Steph loves group sex (impossible in a monogamous marriage) and loves this lifestyle. Quotes from Steph "I basically said that I liked that too." "I loved it." "And I loved that too." This love cannot be turned off by turning the switch in the brain. This love will definitely come out. Quote from Steph "I missed... I missed the group sex."
MC – fiance/husband of Steph. Steph loves and respects her husband (no evidence). Steph withheld information about her love for a non-monogamous lifestyle until marriage. I believe that knowing that your girlfriend and possibly future bride loves group sex and a non-monogamous marriage is of great importance in deciding the format of a future relationship. Steph manipulates MC, her ego demands marriage. Does Steph love and respect MC?
On Friday, Steph again withheld information from MC. Knowing the whole story will have a strong influence on the choices the MC makes. She manipulates the MC - her ego demands it. Does Steph love and respect MC?
Quote from Steph: s "Chuck wanted to mislead me. He enjoyed it. I never wanted to mislead you, and I sure as hell didn't enjoy it." To not tell before marriage is to mislead. Not to tell on Friday is to mislead. She didn't like it, but she continued to do it. The hedgehogs cried, but continued to fuck the cactus. For Steph, only her ego matters. Does Steph love and respect MC?
Quote from Steph: s "I never tried to take anything from you, and I never wanted to hurt you." Steph took away MC's right to make an informed and correct decision about marriage. Steph took away MC's right to make an informed and correct decision about a non-monogamous marriage. Does Steph love and respect MC?
Double standards from the author. Chuck withheld information - an asshole, a bastard, etc. Steph, who withheld information twice, is a loving wife. Steph can leave Chuck, MC is doomed to lifelong penal servitude Steph.