VN Ren'Py Love & Jealousy [Act 2] [Professor Amethyst Games]

[DeviantFun]

I dont think its very weird Mia didnt recognize Lacey was on K but Christine did. All of Laceys antics are normal to Mia. Mia goes out of her way to prove Lacey doesnt care about MC, that she likes doing what she did in college even without the K. Basically all slutty versions of Lacey are the same to Mia, she has no reason to analyze why Lacey is doing what she is doing. in fact the only thing surprising to Mia is not that Lacey is cheating but doing it from of him knowingly. its only on realization that she is on K where Mia seems to take any real consideration into Laceys motive. before that its almost like she was glad Lacey was proving her right for all to see, like it was vindication for her actions.

as for Christine recognizing Lacey was on K in the video, it makes sense, as her entire reason for being around MC is to protect him from Lacey. From the minute she winds up in MC's orbit she has been watching, studying and analyzing Lacey's behavior. and in the process falls in love with MC. out of everyone watching the video link, it would be weird for her not to spot Laceys bizaree behavior first. the only question would be whether or not she points it out for everyone right then or later, depending on which choice would more effectively get MC away from Lacey for good.

thats how i saw it at least

Actually, the fact that Christine, which has never seen Lacey in her life, catches that she is on K is pretty weird.
We chalk it up to narrative purposes.

You know, I was tormented by the question from the very beginning. How did Lacey manage to convince herself and most importantly her 'friends' that having sex with another man and showing it to her husband is good or can it help somehow?
The excuses that Lacey gives are honestly so absurd that they wouldn't convince even a three-year-old.
They sound something like "-you know, I saw that your child was sad and gave him a dose of drugs to cheer him up. I didn't know that you don't allow him to take drugs."

Why, knowing about her intentions, they didn't stop her from this irreparable act. Knowing that she was sick (out of her mind) or just stupid, they didn't explain to her that what she was planning was rly bad. Why didn't they warn the MC that she wanted to do something that would cause irreparable damage and ruin the lives of their friends.

And it doesn't matter at all whether she did it under the influence of K., alcohol, with a friend or a stranger - she did it of her own free will, knowing exactly that she was cheating on her husband.
It doesn't even matter here whether she was thinking about herself or about him, whether she was enjoying herself or not, what's important is that she purposefully destroyed the spiritual connection and trust that unites loving partners in marriage.

From any possible point of view, this act is not a manifestation of love, but of indifference and complete disrespect for the partner and his feelings.
I can say that Lacey's love and feelings for the man are false and deception, possibly self-deception, which, however, does not change the essence.

She lies in everything, even in feelings.

It may sound stupid, but that's exactly how I see it.

This happens all the time, the friends are never supportive of MC, not even Anna.

They don't warn him about the Jared plan aside from Anna giving a bit of hint during the promotion conversation.
Mc is the same btw, instead of telling Lacey, you are going to get scammed, he just goes along with it, like a true eunuch witness would.

In the case of Bastion, Lacey wanted to achieve something clear, by trampling over MC, thinking that it could be a good idea.
And if you follow the cucky pathin the JD, the author sweeps everything under "emotional growth" (luckily he backpedaled hard from that) and shows that Lacey was indeed right, and MC is fine with it.

But coming back to the group of friends, MC is surrounded by backstabbers and relatively bad people.
Christine betrays him and never questions anything her uncle tells her even when suspicious, until caught.
Veronica needs to be threatened before she actually helps for real, giving Jared a lot of time to try and destroy MC life, add to that her behaviour in the KW and you have a wonderful cocktail with boobs.
Anna never warns MC of Lacey crazy plans, hides the Isaac conversation, allies with the pimp in her wonderful plan.
The pimp does everything in her power to destroy MC life, from the "lessons" to trying to bring a lot of drugs to a drug addict that could use it to commit suicide (she saw or know of the attempts) and everything in between.
Jeanette blames him for taking the director position, when it is clearly shown from the author that she is incompetent as they come and allies with the pimp in her insane plans.
Kelly is a bit of a victim of the pimp, but still allies with her in trying to damage his life somehow, to the point that they talk about monitoring him with webcams (not stressful at all).

The innocent ones are the inconsequential side characters like Yue, Beth and Jamie.

So yeah, with friends like these, you don't need FV, Jared or whatever the next big bad will be.

Mia didnt care that Lacey was about to shoot herself in the foot with that crazy plan, she even felt that it was good for her objective, the only thing she wanted was to make sure she was not to blame for Lacey doing that. She gave an objective rational opinion (that it was a bad idea) and then let her do her thing since the result was gona be in favor of what she wanted. (the whole crash and burn of her marriage)

Anna on the other side is really contradictory, for once, her love for MC should have made try a lot harder to stop Lacey, even if it was just to protect MC. In oposite to this, Lacey just about to blow her marriage was in favor of her interest, so she could be the one to pick a bereaved MC, and make him fall in love with her. In the end we dont get a real motivation to why she allowed it or why she didnt warn the MC, and ends just being a poor excuse that she didnt want to cause a confrontation with a friend, because apparently friendship really means letting your friend destroy her marriage and hurt the man you love.

Anna is written like a pretty bad person quite a lot.
I mean, having the man you love being destroyed emotionally because it "aligns with your goals" is pretty evil under any standards.

The author wanted to show narratively that the trio is supportive of each other probably, but man did he slip up here, because it only shows evil people doing evil things.

Pimp and Anna are the prime example.

 

[Diosvincenccio]

Anna is written like a pretty bad person quite a lot.
I mean, having the man you love being destroyed emotionally because it "aligns with your goals" is pretty evil under any standards.

True, it would be evil but beliable, she has a goal and her actions are a means to and end. Instead we get an excuse for an irrational behavior that leaves her in a place that nobody understands her motivations. She does the evil actions like keeping quite, yet its atributed to the opposite motivations.

Work rest is ending, see you later.

 

[AL.d]

Actually, the fact that Christine, which has never seen Lacey in her life, catches that she is on K is pretty weird.
We chalk it up to narrative purposes.



This happens all the time, the friends are never supportive of MC, not even Anna.

They don't warn him about the Jared plan aside from Anna giving a bit of hint during the promotion conversation.
Mc is the same btw, instead of telling Lacey, you are going to get scammed, he just goes along with it, like a true eunuch witness would.

In the case of Bastion, Lacey wanted to achieve something clear, by trampling over MC, thinking that it could be a good idea.
And if you follow the cucky pathin the JD, the author sweeps everything under "emotional growth" (luckily he backpedaled hard from that) and shows that Lacey was indeed right, and MC is fine with it.

But coming back to the group of friends, MC is surrounded by backstabbers and relatively bad people.
Christine betrays him and never questions anything her uncle tells her even when suspicious, until caught.
Veronica needs to be threatened before she actually helps for real, giving Jared a lot of time to try and destroy MC life, add to that her behaviour in the KW and you have a wonderful cocktail with boobs.
Anna never warns MC of Lacey crazy plans, hides the Isaac conversation, allies with the pimp in her wonderful plan.
The pimp does everything in her power to destroy MC life, from the "lessons" to trying to bring a lot of drugs to a drug addict that could use it to commit suicide (she saw or know of the attempts) and everything in between.
Jeanette blames him for taking the director position, when it is clearly shown from the author that she is incompetent as they come and allies with the pimp in her insane plans.
Kelly is a bit of a victim of the pimp, but still allies with her in trying to damage his life somehow, to the point that they talk about monitoring him with webcams (not stressful at all).

The innocent ones are the inconsequential side characters like Yue, Beth and Jamie.

So yeah, with friends like these, you don't need FV, Jared or whatever the next big bad will be.



Anna is written like a pretty bad person quite a lot.
I mean, having the man you love being destroyed emotionally because it "aligns with your goals" is pretty evil under any standards.

The author wanted to show narratively that the trio is supportive of each other probably, but man did he slip up here, because it only shows evil people doing evil things.

Pimp and Anna are the prime example.

The problem is that I see no indication the game actually acknowledges MC is surrounded by snakes. Especially in the case of Anna. Everything I've seen so far shows me the writer considers her a good person and a supportive friend.

Writers seeing characters as the vague concept they have in their heads and not through the lens of their actions in the story, is extremely common on here. I see it all the time.

 

[DeviantFun]

The problem is that I see no indication the game actually acknowledges MC is surrounded by snakes. Especially in the case of Anna. Everything I've seen so far shows me the writer considers her a good person and a supportive friend.

Writers seeing characters as the vague concept they have in their heads and not through the lens of their actions in the story, is extremely common on here. I see it all the time.

I completely agree, while Anna is somewhat ambiguos a few times (you could factor in she considers Lacey her "sister"), the pimp is never so and it is never aknowledged.

But this is true for all, from Christine to Veronica...

 

[Maviarab]

So yeah, with friends like these

he author wanted to show narratively that the trio is supportive of each other probably, but man did he slip up here, because it only shows evil people doing evil things.

The problem is that I see no indication the game actually acknowledges MC is surrounded by snakes.

Maybe, hopefully perhaps, this is something Diana might bring up to the MC (away from the succubus) at some point as she learns more. It really would be nice if there's at least one character in her orbit who just isn't affected/brainwashed by her bullshit.

 

[DeviantFun]

Maybe, hopefully perhaps, this is something Diana might bring up to the MC (away from the succubus) at some point as she learns more. It really would be nice if there's at least one character in her orbit who just isn't affected/brainwashed by her bullshit.

I hope that they all get some redemption, your hopes in Dianne are misplaced, she is there to be fucked by MC and to make Lacey realize how truly toxic she has been.

Like, she knows, but she doesn't know the extent.

 

[Maviarab]

I hope that they all get some redemption

I don't...at least on one path.

your hopes in Dianne are misplaced, she is there to be fucked by MC

I don't think she is to be honest. She is just there as the wise old sage character to make them both see sense. As said, would be nice as she learns more from Lacey directly or others, she educates the MC as to just how bad they all are. If, in the next update, she can gain points, eitehr by way of dancing or text messaging, then I may be inclined to agree with you.

Surely, as part of 'healing'...there has to be...one ending path where the MC just ditches them all for his own wellbeing (hell..yes, maybe even with Dianne).

It's like crime dramas and other such media. There has to be some form of repurcussion to extreme bad behaviour. I appreciate the dev sees all this desperately dispicable people as far better than we do, but surely he has to show eventually, that treating people as they do, comes at a cost and not a happy ending.

I'll be bitterly disapppointed after everything that has happened with some characters, it's all rainbows and unicorns at the end and there are no consequences. That teaches no one anything, just states, treat people like complete utter shit, be an asshole, try to get people killed, lie, cheat, steal...it's all ok...society accepts that.

 

[AL.d]

I don't...at least on one path.

I don't think she is to be honest. She is just there as the wise old sage character to make them both see sense. As said, would be nice as she learns more from Lacey directly or others, she educates the MC as to just how bad they all are. If, in the next update, she can gain points, eitehr by way of dancing or text messaging, then I may be inclined to agree with you.

Surely, as part of 'healing'...there has to be...one ending path where the MC just ditches them all for his own wellbeing (hell..yes, maybe even with Dianne).

It's like crime dramas and other such media. There has to be some form of repurcussion to extreme bad behaviour. I appreciate the dev sees all this desperately dispicable people as far better than we do, but surely he has to show eventually, that treating people as they do, comes at a cost and not a happy ending.

I'll be bitterly disapppointed after everything that has happened with some characters, it's all rainbows and unicorns at the end and there are no consequences. That teaches no one anything, just states, treat people like complete utter shit, be an asshole, try to get people killed, lie, cheat, steal...it's all ok...society accepts that.

I'm with DF on this one. She will become part of MC's harem. And in all her sageness, she will fail to realize that's another manipulation tool. Because it would inconvenience the obvious direction of "fucking lots of unearned pussy makes you a manly man".

The pattern is established at this point. If she was meant to deviate, dev wouldn't have made her follow it in the exact same way, by finding her all buddy buddy with Lacey in MC's house. She would be giving her advice trying to wake MC up, outside Lacey's web.

 

[Maviarab]

I'm with DF on this one. She will become part of MC's harem. And in all her sageness, she will fail to realize that's another manipulation tool. Because it would inconvenience the obvious direction of "fucking lots of unearned pussy makes you a manly man".

The pattern is established at this point. If she was meant to deviate, dev wouldn't have made her follow it in the exact same way, by finding her all buddy buddy with Lacey in MC's house. She would be giving her advice trying to wake MC up, outside Lacey's web.

Yeaaahhhh you're probably right....

 

[InactiveK]

You guys are so harsh.

I've criticised her as well but calling Anna evil or a snake is pure hyperbole. She's MCs friend, not his mother or his keeper, and there is only so much she can do or should be expected to do to help MC and Lacey in their relationship especially when managing her own feelings.

But coming back to the group of friends, MC is surrounded by backstabbers and relatively bad people.
Christine betrays him and never questions anything her uncle tells her even when suspicious, until caught.

Christine thought she was helping him, and when she found out she wasn't, she was physically sick. It was poor judgement but she never intended any betrayal. Yes she trusted what was probably her 'cool' Uncle. And at some point she probably thought about him selling drugs, and that her sister died of drugs, and she probably felt sick again.

Veronica needs to be threatened before she actually helps for real, giving Jared a lot of time to try and destroy MC life, add to that her behaviour in the KW and you have a wonderful cocktail with boobs.

When put under pressure she prioritised herself over people she didn't know well. That's pretty normal. It didn't take much to convince her to switch sides and she then actively helped MC.

Anna never warns MC of Lacey crazy plans, hides the Isaac conversation, allies with the pimp in her wonderful plan.

She's isn't always aware of Lacey's crazy plans. She told MC about the tennis dates for example but only inadvertently; she didn't know Lacey was keeping the nature of them a secret. When she overheard the Isaac conversation, she did run off to tell MC at first until Lacey begged her not to, but she still stayed with Lacey to ensure she shared an accurate version of events. That's not really hiding it. She deleted the recording but was trying to be fair both sides.

Also I don't think you can get upset at her for not doing enough and then upset because she finally does something. She did something because she finally had more than she could stand.

A "If you loved someone very much."
A "And you saw their partner, even if that partner is someone you care about, hurting the person you loved."
A "I mean really hurting them."
A "Over and over and over again."
A "You might understand my feelings."
A "I'll apologize if that will help any."
A "But I don't regret wanting to save you and neither does Mia."

Mia's plan was still stupid and doomed to failure though.

The pimp does everything in her power to destroy MC life, from the "lessons" to trying to bring a lot of drugs to a drug addict that could use it to commit suicide (she saw or know of the attempts) and everything in between.

Not really. Yes at first she wanted Lacey and MC to break up but that changed pretty fast after she started interacting with MC.

Its hard to defend Mia but there are multiple moments that show she is feeling guilt and remorse and that those feeling drive her actions.

M "If you loved this stupid kid so much, then what were you and I even doing?"
M "Why did you let me destroy your life?"
M "Why did you let me destroy [MCFirst]'s life?"
M "Do you know how much I punish myself for that?"

Pretty sure she hates herself as much as most of you do lol.

Jeanette blames him for taking the director position, when it is clearly shown from the author that she is incompetent as they come and allies with the pimp in her insane plans.

Jeanette doesn't blame him. She is hurt and struggles with that, but is otherwise supportive.

MC "I'm too young for Director of IT."
MC "Goddammit Jeanette."
MC "You know I don't deserve this."
J "I don't even remotely agree with that statement."
J "You will make an amazing IT director."

J "I'm so damn hurt."
J "They didn't even consider me."
C "I'm sorry Jeanette."
C "It's total bullshit."
C "I can't imagine how hard it was to swallow your pride around [MCFirst]."
J "I couldn't let him see me upset like that."
J "He wouldn't take the position if he knew how upset I am."

Kelly is a bit of a victim of the pimp, but still allies with her in trying to damage his life somehow, to the point that they talk about monitoring him with webcams (not stressful at all).

Kelly the work wife is great though. Introducing Kelly to MC was Mia's only good plan. All those times MC ran to her are times he could have run off to the cliffs or worse. She has genuinely made him feel better multiple times.

It also helped Lacey grow as a person. Lacey understood MCs feelings of jealousy a lot better when she got to experience it herself. Kelly literally forced Lacey to shape up and self reflect. Only Dianne helped her more I think.

 

[Maviarab]

She's isn't always aware of Lacey's crazy plans

Yes she is. And Mia's for that matter. She was aware of the tennis (the whole reason she went along)...she was aware of the cuck stream...she was aware of Jareds week of parties (and ignored the MC for the entire week too I might add...I wonder why?)....she was aware of Mia's plan to overdose Lacey....

Should I continue because I guarantee...I know exactly what she is and is not aware of and what she does and doesn't do more than most on this thread

When put under pressure she prioritised herself over people she didn't know well. That's pretty normal. It didn't take much to convince her to switch sides and she then actively helped MC.

Just going to point out here....

Lacey is kind of a protege to her. She knows the MC 'well enough' To protect her own ass...she was more than willing to let Jared not only destroy their marriage...but allow Jared to use Lacey as his own personal cumdump...knowing full well, he has done this before....knowing full well, Lacey may try and kill herself over it...

Before she even thought about helping...now...if you think that's forgiveable...that's a nice person (regardless of how well she knew them), she is actually one of the worst characters really....then well...we have very different standards on morality and doing the right thing towards innocent people. This isn't some inconsequential repurcusions of her protecting her ass....

But you do you I guess.

 

[AL.d]

She's isn't always aware of Lacey's crazy plans. She told MC about the tennis dates for example but only inadvertently; she didn't know Lacey was keeping the nature of them a secret. When she overheard the Isaac conversation, she did run off to tell MC at first until Lacey begged her not to, but she still stayed with Lacey to ensure she shared an accurate version of events. That's not really hiding it. She deleted the recording but was trying to be fair both sides.

You mean plans like reprogramming her supposed loved one into a pathetic cuckold? Because she was all in on that plan. Or the other plan to work alongside the sleazebag she was frolicking with for weeks? Because she knew about that too.

When I want someone to have my back, I don't want "both sides" bs. If you have my back you are on my side only, end of story. I don't need you to tag along on double dates with my wife to protect her like she is a baby. I need you to tell me my slut wife is going on dates with other men the moment it happens. I don't need you to support my wife's crazy plan to brainwash me into a cuckold. I need you to be against it and expose the conversation. I don't need you to let my slut wife recount meeting her ex in my kitchen, when you have a video. I need you to send me that video the moment it happens so I can judge for myself.

Every single time she had to pick a side in a meaningful way, Anna has picked Lacey's. I don't see how anyone who doesn't share MC's complete lack of self-preservation, would want that snake on their side.

 

[Maviarab]

Every single time she had to pick a side in a meaningful way, Anna has picked Lacey's.

 

[Adhdclassic]

Wanna rock their worlds introduce a married couple that is happy, loyal, full of trust and not fucked in the head also for added measure have them known each other since they were little. Basically give them the same childhood as the MCs but different results. it would show the path they took didn't need to happen. He will be impacted first make him think.

 

[justahornydude53]

Wow!!!! These people are seriously fucked in the head. People with these kind of issues should definitely NOT be looking at any kind of an "open" relationship. In fact these people should be single and in serious therapy. They have no idea how to treat each other and no idea what "love" actually is. The mental gymnastics in this are completely insane.

 

[DeviantFun]

Al.d and Maviarab already rebuked your points "nicely", but I want to have a chance to defend my post since you quoted me.

You guys are so harsh.

I've criticised her as well but calling Anna evil or a snake is pure hyperbole. She's MCs friend, not his mother or his keeper, and there is only so much she can do or should be expected to do to help MC and Lacey in their relationship especially when managing her own feelings.

She is MC best friend, yet she is involved or knows about all the plans or sick things that were being done to him or, later on, to Lacey.
Yet her response is either passive or complicit.

If someone that:

• Supports Lacey in cucking MC (A "Okay. We'll do our best to support you.")
• Doesn't tell MC that Lacey is spending time with "marketing bro"
• Doesn't tell MC his wife is being hit on during obvious dates (she knows about the brain damage)
• Doesn't tell MC that the pimp is about to bring drugs to his drug addict wife (which could have lead to death)
• Actively hides heavy facts such as the Isaac convo
• Thinks that the correct "punishment" for someone that destroyed MC self worth is not talking for a week

Is your idea of friend or good friend, my man I have news for you.
I fully understand what the author wants to convey in his head, but the character actions show the opposite.

Christine thought she was helping him, and when she found out she wasn't, she was physically sick. It was poor judgement but she never intended any betrayal. Yes she trusted what was probably her 'cool' Uncle. And at some point she probably thought about him selling drugs, and that her sister died of drugs, and she probably felt sick again.

She was suspicious and yet went on, giving information such as MC being infertile, which Jared was HAPPY to learn.
So the girl that is so bright that can see a deepfake from a mile over, or that can understand if someone is under the influence at a glance was oblivious for months.

Intentions are secondary, actions come first.

[Veronica] When put under pressure she prioritised herself over people she didn't know well. That's pretty normal. It didn't take much to convince her to switch sides and she then actively helped MC.

Yeah, this is something that gets thrown around often, and then you have to remember that Lacey was ready to kill herself and yet Veronica was just standing there.
If you see a life of a stranger (Lacey is not a stranger to her and neither is MC) getting destroyed and you don't do shit, you are a shit person, period.

It did take quite a lot for her to be convinced, MC had to threaten her at the end, unless we played a different game.

She's isn't always aware of Lacey's crazy plans. She told MC about the tennis dates for example but only inadvertently; she didn't know Lacey was keeping the nature of them a secret. When she overheard the Isaac conversation, she did run off to tell MC at first until Lacey begged her not to, but she still stayed with Lacey to ensure she shared an accurate version of events. That's not really hiding it. She deleted the recording but was trying to be fair both sides.

The recording is a capital sin, she stayed to keep things accurate but in the end favoured Lacey over MC, this man has the right to know, if you are a friend, a true one, you'll keep things straight.
There was nothing fair there, fair would have been showing the recording and then let Lacey explain whatever she thought she needed to.

Also I don't think you can get upset at her for not doing enough and then upset because she finally does something. She did something because she finally had more than she could stand.

A "If you loved someone very much."
A "And you saw their partner, even if that partner is someone you care about, hurting the person you loved."
A "I mean really hurting them."
A "Over and over and over again."
A "You might understand my feelings."
A "I'll apologize if that will help any."
A "But I don't regret wanting to save you and neither does Mia."

Mia's plan was still stupid and doomed to failure though.

So we established that the nice lessons from the fucking pimp killed a part of MC, it is stated in the material.
Your plan, for someone you love mind you, is to double down and see if you can kill some more of him.

This is no way to act.

And you can't consider lying to Mc face as "doing something", she didn't do anything, again.

The pimp plan would have worked if MC was written as a damaged human being and not a septic tank.

Not really. Yes at first she wanted Lacey and MC to break up but that changed pretty fast after she started interacting with MC.

Its hard to defend Mia but there are multiple moments that show she is feeling guilt and remorse and that those feeling drive her actions.

M "If you loved this stupid kid so much, then what were you and I even doing?"
M "Why did you let me destroy your life?"
M "Why did you let me destroy [MCFirst]'s life?"
M "Do you know how much I punish myself for that?"

Pretty sure she hates herself as much as most of you do lol.

And yet she always blames others for her actions and we NEVER see her actually making amends.
During the lessons she blames the college guys.
In the convo you posted she blames Lacey.

Do you remember the Dianne convo when she talks about narcissists and tells Lacey off about the kiss? This is the same concept, the abuser is telling the victim that she should have done something if she didn't want to be abused.

It is disgusting to the core, and the fact that it is written as some sort of sad moment is appalling.

She never did anything positive in the whole story, nothing, zilch, aside from hugging MC two times and the author telling us that she calms down MC when she is there.

She is so calming that gives MC a PTSD episode just because she finds her "ruining MC and Lacey's life" funny.

Jeanette doesn't blame him. She is hurt and struggles with that, but is otherwise supportive.

MC "I'm too young for Director of IT."
MC "Goddammit Jeanette."
MC "You know I don't deserve this."
J "I don't even remotely agree with that statement."
J "You will make an amazing IT director."

J "I'm so damn hurt."
J "They didn't even consider me."
C "I'm sorry Jeanette."
C "It's total bullshit."
C "I can't imagine how hard it was to swallow your pride around [MCFirst]."
J "I couldn't let him see me upset like that."
J "He wouldn't take the position if he knew how upset I am."

She wasn't even able to think about a simple corporate licensing, no wonder she got passed over.
I am sorry, but I work in that environment, there is NO WAY a normal adult would act like this.

Here is Jeanette being supportive:
MC "Jeanette?"
J "(sigh) Yes boss?"
MC "You calling me that feels a little gross."
J "Get used to it Mr. [MCLast]."
MC "My name is [MCFirst]."
MC "Please call me that."
J "No."
MC "..."
MC "That's the first time you've ever hurt my feelings."
J "Get used to it."
MC "..."
J "I... I'm sorry."
J "I don't know where that came from."
MC "I can't do this if we aren't friends anymore."
J "I know this isn't something you're doing to me."
J "My anger is misplaced."
J "I just need a little time."

She is putting her frustrations on someone that has nothing to do with the whole thing, that she supposedly love and knows is very sensitive.
Granted this is nothing compared to what the others do, and can be easily forgiven given time.

Kelly the work wife is great though. Introducing Kelly to MC was Mia's only good plan. All those times MC ran to her are times he could have run off to the cliffs or worse. She has genuinely made him feel better multiple times.

It also helped Lacey grow as a person. Lacey understood MCs feelings of jealousy a lot better when she got to experience it herself. Kelly literally forced Lacey to shape up and self reflect. Only Dianne helped her more I think.

Kelly is another pimp victim, a loner with social anxiety is pulled in the scheming and backstabbing.
What if the "replacement" (do we understand that this is a disgusting concept? can we agree to this at least?) is not needed anymore? What then? She threw away the little she had for a friendship and a man that wouldn't look at her twice if his wife told him to?

Kelly is a tragic story.

Edit: the problem is always the same, we are supposed to believe that these people are great, yet their actions never show it, the narrative doesn't allow for it.
There are never consequences because probably in the author mind none of them actually need to have them, since they are "good".

 

[Maviarab]

Wow!!!! These people are seriously fucked in the head. People with these kind of issues should definitely NOT be looking at any kind of an "open" relationship. In fact these people should be single and in serious therapy. They have no idea how to treat each other and no idea what "love" actually is. The mental gymnastics in this are completely insane.

This is great!

This should be pinned in the OP as the greatest TLDR posted yet lmao....

 

[Lestrouduc]

What if the "replacement" (do we understand that this is a disgusting concept? can we agree to this at least?) is not needed anymore? What then? She threw away the little she had for a friendship and a man that wouldn't look at her twice if his wife told him to?

Kelly is a tragic story.
[/CITATION]

Thanks for that DF..

 

[InactiveK]

Yes she is. And Mia's for that matter. She was aware of the tennis (the whole reason she went along)...she was aware of the cuck stream...she was aware of Jareds week of parties (and ignored the MC for the entire week too I might add...I wonder why?)....she was aware of Mia's plan to overdose Lacey....

Anna did tell MC about the tennis thing though. She didn't know Lacey hadn't told him already.

"I could see Lacey's face turn fearful when Anna started saying what she was about to."
A "It's just the four of us."
MC "Wait what?"
MC "Four... including you two?"
A "Yes."

A "Oh Lacey."
A "You didn't tell him it was just the four of us?"
L "I..."
M "Are you fucking serious Lacey?"

Everyone knew about Damian. Everyone told Lacey NOT to do it, and she'd only just said she would avoid doing stupid things by listening to her friends. Everyone was aware of Mia's plan even if they didn't approve. But it says something that even Lacey's 'ride or die' is pulling stupid plans against her.

Lacey is kind of a protege to her. She knows the MC 'well enough' To protect her own ass...she was more than willing to let Jared not only destroy their marriage...but allow Jared to use Lacey as his own personal cumdump...knowing full well, he has done this before....knowing full well, Lacey may try and kill herself over it...

I think protege is overstating it. More like role model for Lacey. And Veronica was blackmailed. If you are coerced into something then you aren't willing.

You mean plans like reprogramming her supposed loved one into a pathetic cuckold? Because she was all in on that plan. Or the other plan to work alongside the sleazebag she was frolicking with for weeks? Because she knew about that too.

Anna was explicitly against cucking him. They want to fix his self esteem, Lacey is just doing a shit job.

When I want someone to have my back, I don't want "both sides" bs. If you have my back you are on my side only, end of story. I don't need you to tag along on double dates with my wife to protect her like she is a baby. I need you to tell me my slut wife is going on dates with other men the moment it happens. I don't need you to support my wife's crazy plan to brainwash me into a cuckold. I need you to be against it and expose the conversation. I don't need you to let my slut wife recount meeting her ex in my kitchen, when you have a video. I need you to send me that video the moment it happens so I can judge for myself.

Every single time she had to pick a side in a meaningful way, Anna has picked Lacey's. I don't see how anyone who doesn't share MC's complete lack of self-preservation, would want that snake on their side.

MC picks Lacey's side. There is no side for Anna to pick until he gets his head straight. She could do all those things and it would have made no difference other than to alienate MC.

MC is seemingly always going to forgive Lacey no matter what, unless its so bad he commits suicide or something.

• Supports Lacey in cucking MC (A "Okay. We'll do our best to support you.")#

In that very conversation she tells Lacey that MC is not a computer to be reprogrammed. Neither Anna or even Mia agrees with Lacey. They just realise they can't stop her.

• Doesn't tell MC that Lacey is spending time with "marketing bro"
• Doesn't tell MC his wife is being hit on during obvious dates (she knows about the brain damage)

She warned him. She also told him about the tennis dates. She had assumed MC already knew.

A "I'm intrigued, I didn't know a position was open in Jared's department."
"By saying that Anna signaled me to be on my guard."

• Doesn't tell MC that the pimp is about to bring drugs to his drug addict wife (which could have lead to death)

MC also knew about the drugs and failed to act properly. Though perhaps warning Lacey indirectly was barely enough.

• Actively hides heavy facts such as the Isaac convo

She didn't hide it, but she did destroy the recording.

• Thinks that the correct "punishment" for someone that destroyed MC self worth is not talking for a week

Was that Mia? Apparently she can charm anyone somehow if she feels like it.

Is your idea of friend or good friend, my man I have news for you.
I fully understand what the author wants to convey in his head, but the character actions show the opposite.

She saved MCs life. Maintained her friendship with him, even after finding out he was pretty messed up, even after being rejected. I think that counts for quite a lot.

I'm willing to give the author a bit more leeway if the intent is clear. Otherwise I don't know how I would enjoy the story.

She was suspicious and yet went on, giving information such as MC being infertile, which Jared was HAPPY to learn.
So the girl that is so bright that can see a deepfake from a mile over, or that can understand if someone is under the influence at a glance was oblivious for months.

Intentions are secondary, actions come first.

Sunk cost fallacy. Sometimes quitting is harder than continuing if it would mean admitting you messed up. I'm sure there was continual manipulation going on as well.

Yeah, this is something that gets thrown around often, and then you have to remember that Lacey was ready to kill herself and yet Veronica was just standing there.
If you see a life of a stranger (Lacey is not a stranger to her and neither is MC) getting destroyed and you don't do shit, you are a shit person, period.

It did take quite a lot for her to be convinced, MC had to threaten her at the end, unless we played a different game.

MC already suspected but she did point him in the right direction.

V "Maybe he has some dirt on someone high up?"

She was trying to protect Lacey. She just wasn't going after Jared.

V "Just know that I'm doing everything I can to shield her from Jared."
"So, she's protecting Lacey, but can't directly go after Jared."

He did threaten her. Over the phone, which isn't very effective. So she shared how she was being blackmailed. But in the end when he asked for help all he said was:

"There's always a way."
"And there it is..."
MC "Veronica?"
V "Yes?"
MC "Will you help me save my wife?"
V "..."
V "Yes."

The recording is a capital sin, she stayed to keep things accurate but in the end favoured Lacey over MC, this man has the right to know, if you are a friend, a true one, you'll keep things straight.
There was nothing fair there, fair would have been showing the recording and then let Lacey explain whatever she thought she needed to.

Yeah, maybe. I was surprised she deleted it. If Anna is at fault though then so is Lacey for manipulating her feelings again.

She is putting her frustrations on someone that has nothing to do with the whole thing, that she supposedly love and knows is very sensitive.
Granted this is nothing compared to what the others do, and can be easily forgiven given time.

I don't think it would be right to constantly be walking on eggshells around him. If we're talking awkward conversations they are both at fault for some of them. They just had their roles reversed, they are figuring things out.

Kelly is another pimp victim, a loner with social anxiety is pulled in the scheming and backstabbing.
What if the "replacement" (do we understand that this is a disgusting concept? can we agree to this at least?) is not needed anymore? What then? She threw away the little she had for a friendship and a man that wouldn't look at her twice if his wife told him to?

Kelly is a tragic story.

Well its certainly weird.

But like a lot of stuff, its written to drive drama, when its not just full blown porn logic. A more realistic story would be a lot more boring.

I think you guys do make good points that I can't rebut like the marketing party week. But why didn't MC reach out to Anna or Mia then? Just feels like flaw to me more than them deciding to avoid him because if MC reached out to Anna I just don't see her ignoring him. Lacey manipulating Anna into not reaching out first? Maybe.

 

[Maviarab]

I could see Lacey's face turn fearful when Anna started saying what she was about to."
A "It's just the four of us."
MC "Wait what?"
MC "Four... including you two?"
A "Yes."

A "Oh Lacey."
A "You didn't tell him it was just the four of us?"
L "I..."
M "Are you fucking serious Lacey?"

And tell me...when does this conversation take place hmmm? I'll wait for your answer.

Maintained her friendship with him, even after finding out he was pretty messed up, even after being rejected.

She also left him...twice...once a complete abandonment like Lacy did for most of a semester.

Neither Anna or even Mia agrees with Lacey. They just realise they can't stop her.

L "I'll get him through all of it, even if I have to carry him on my back."
M "Fine."
A "Okay. We'll do our best to support you."



It's obvious you wish to play devil's advocate, and that's fine and can be fiun...but if going to try and prove facts...

Do much better and pay far more attention....