Honestly, if he spend time with her, then their relationship would have been much better.
It's a lot like he doesn't understand how human connections work, and instead his life is all about duties.
Same tbh
I don't think it's about spending more time together, there's no solution as simple as that. He's already in the red for neglecting his wife, his duties are more important than his wife which only fueled Ercella's loneliness and depression. Not to mention how lightly he took Ercella and just pitied her mental health state without even trying to understand her. If Ercella failed as a mother, I can confidently say he failed as a husband.
It won't solve all their issues, however, them communicating is an important step towards improvement.
Plus some human contact, respect, and kindness could make her suffering lesser. Her life has no source of happiness, and her doubting her decision is reasonable (although she is in denial.)
Depression tends to be both nature and nurture. The medicine helps, however a change of environment or a change in how someone is treated can make a massive difference. Even if someone takes medication and goes to therapy, them being in a harmful toxic environment can prevent any healing from occurring.
I still hate him (some people find him handsome&charming but when I look behind his looks, I think he's restrictive and rude). I ship Ercella with the scholar guy.
And I'm glad Ercella finally decided to improve herself for her own sake, become an independent woman, etc. That must've been a difficult decision for her to make