When we said we didn't like it when the story took different paths, the author seems to have taken it as a challenge. I don't like Rachel's route with the stepson at all, nor am I interested in it. I really thought it would progress much further in John and Rachel: Corruption.
But instead, he prefers to introduce extra characters like the mother and sister, who could easily be used by John to corrupt, but that would detract from the main plot, which is John and Rachel.
I think the story between Rachel and the stepson is too forced. The author could have kept the other old man and improved their storyline, making it more believable. Now that we've switched from the other old man to the stepson, I prefer the old man.