I feel like I’m waiting for a drop, and I also think our mc feels like that too. The am...

Nah, the MC is also partially to be blamed. This story is another case of misunderstandings.

the MC has no partial blaming to be done LOL what are you even saying? misunderstandings yes but MC has had the harshest life ever, so obviously he couldn't speak up for himself that much, but the ML never even tried to understand him; he doesn't even deserve this second life reincarnation after what he put the MC through in their first life.

We can’t say he doesn’t deserve the second life reincarnation, if so then this story will have only a tragic ending. Just be glad that the ML and MC have a second chance at happiness. I’m happy for both of them.

Also, I understand the MC has a tragic life, but he is an adult now, someone who held a high position of managerial duties in his family’s company, if he couldn’t speak up for himself because he was scared then how can he work so efficiently in his position. Furthermore, if you have read about the stolen documents case, you would know that the ML gave MC a chance to give an excuse of any form. You can clearly see that the ML wanted to understand why the MC stole company secrets in the first place. But the MC didn’t explain himself. This is what I mean for the partial blaming of the MC. MC didn’t take the slight initiative in their relationship to atleast explain why he done what he did. He didn’t fight for himself. He didn’t fight for the chance to mend their relationship. This was the turning point at why the ML mistreated the MC so badly.

We can’t just pity the character for having a harsh life. Some other characters have harsher lives than the MC in other narratives and some didn’t have timid personalities. So, we can’t coddle the MC just because he is silent and doesn’t speak for himself.

ah, i got your point now! yes, the stolen documents case had certainly laid more groundwork for their already irreparable relationship in the first timeline to reach the point that it had, and about the MC's behaviour of not speaking up for himself, i agree to that as well. but perhaps because of how worse the ML was in comparison with his treatment of the MC, it causes me to pity the MC more even when he behaved in such maddening ways. although by the time i had finished the novel, i had forgiven both because you are correct—both of them had faults to an extent, and the ML repented very well (love these two to death). it was nice conversing about this topic with you :]