Normally, I live for FLs who exact their revenge on MLs, who show them just how damaging and entitled their behaviour is, and how they are worth more than temper tantrums thrown for no reason, unpredictable mood swings over the slightest thing and being ignored, and demand that they buck up and act like actual human beings.

But not this time.

For half of the story, the reader is led to believe that the FL has feelings for the ML - romantic feelings. She puts up with some pretty horrendous behaviour from the ML, is his emotional support, and seems genuinely invested in his emotional and physical wellbeing and his recovery. You know that the FL had some kind of encounter with the ML and that he most likely saved her, and when the FL's mother visits and opposes the marriage, you find out that a) the FL instigated her father to propose the marriage and b) she convinces her mother by saying that she loves the ML.

So imagine my surprise when we find out that the FL doesn't love the ML AT ALL.

Let me make it clear: I have absolutely no problem with the FL calling out the ML on his behaviour towards her. Go, girl, go, you deserve better.

What I have a problem with is that this felt like a unearned twist to the narrative: it's written in third person omniscient, so WHY don't we know that she never loved the ML? She does all kind of ambiguous things, including kissing, holding hands and sleeping with him, but oooh no, she's not actually in love with him. I was as blindsided as the ML finding out what she actually thought about him and it leaves a bad aftertaste and makes for an unsatisfying read. Like, I'd be pretty mad too if someone I thought I knew, was married to, and who had taken the initiative to kiss me multiple times turned around and said it was all a ruse.