Perhaps he's not an asshole, but royally stupid and crassly insensitive are apropos.
Also, when he came back to her to convince her to play married with him, he manipulated her love for his grandfather for his own advantage, didn't plan on honoring their unspoken agreement at all, and continually pushed her into no-win situations. If this non-asshole felt so guilty when he saw her sadness at his brother's wedding, he should have been on his f*^#ing, non-asshole knees apologizing to her and begging for her forgiveness instead of manipulating her and ordering her around.
Not to mention how he neglected the FL's emotional needs when she finally explained her trauma and fear to him by deflecting it with his own trauma, instead of comforting the FL
That was a huge red flag to me
True, he's stupid and a bit insensitive. But I still believe he's better than half of the ML's in harlequin world.
He wasn't insensitive, it looks like their love language is different. It common for men to hold on their emotions and women are usually better at emotional support. But they did good once they finally were able to communicate clearly. No ones perfect and always focusing one the bad isn't good, the Ml wasn't bad or a jerk, just lack communication and some emotional skills.
The ML didn't say I love you to her but it doesn't mean he's an asshole. He must have thought that his actions already shows how much he loves her. FL on the other hand is such a strong woman. I can't believe that she's still sane after all those miscarriages.