# WebtoonLib — Happily Ever Afterwards #20

## Series
- title: Happily Ever Afterwards
- slug: happily-ever-afterwards-9f2227

## Chapter
- number: 20
- release_date: 2025-03-08

### Summary
The chapter delivers on the impending drama foreshadowed previously, as Peony makes a significant verbal misstep that derails her progress with Richt. Reader commentary indicates she tactlessly brings up Richt's past with Hestia, the original novel's heroine, causing him to emotionally retreat. This action is widely described by readers as a major fumble—"one step forward, ten steps back"—that generates intense secondhand embarrassment. The incident has polarized reader sentiment. While many criticize Peony for being "insanely tactless," others express deep sympathy for her, finding it painful to watch her efforts be undermined by Richt's persistent attachment to his past love. A growing frustration is also directed at Richt himself, with readers lamenting the "hung up on past love trope" and expressing annoyance that he constantly thinks of Hestia, making Peony feel like a "second choice." Some commenters defend Peony, pointing out a double standard where her mistakes are scrutinized while Richt's cold behavior is often excused. Overall, the conflict has shifted directly to the main couple's dynamic, moving away from external threats and focusing on the internal obstacle of Richt's unresolved feelings, which Peony's fan-based knowledge of his past has now painfully brought to the surface.
- summary_source: graph_aggregator
- summary_verification: unverified

### Key events
- Peony mentions Hestia to Richt, causing him to emotionally withdraw and stalling their romantic progress.

## Spoiler
- level: auto

### Safe teaser
The chapter delivers on the impending drama foreshadowed previously, as Peony makes a significant verbal misstep that derails her progress with Richt.

### Spoiler summary
The chapter delivers on the impending drama foreshadowed previously, as Peony makes a significant verbal misstep that derails her progress with Richt. Reader commentary indicates she tactlessly brings up Richt's past with Hestia, the original novel's heroine, causing him to emotionally retreat. This action is widely described by readers as a major fumble—"one step forward, ten steps back"—that generates intense secondhand embarrassment. The incident has polarized reader sentiment. While many criticize Peony for being "insanely tactless," others express deep sympathy for her, finding it painful to watch her efforts be undermined by Richt's persistent attachment to his past love. A growing frustration is also directed at Richt himself, with readers lamenting the "hung up on past love trope" and expressing annoyance that he constantly thinks of Hestia, making Peony feel like a "second choice." Some commenters defend Peony, pointing out a double standard where her mistakes are scrutinized while Richt's cold behavior is often excused. Overall, the conflict has shifted directly to the main couple's dynamic, moving away from external threats and focusing on the internal obstacle of Richt's unresolved feelings, which Peony's fan-based knowledge of his past has now painfully brought to the surface.

## Status
- data_status: complete
- summary_status: generated
- transcript: Hardsub chapter — image-only

## See also
- [WebtoonLib — Happily Ever Afterwards #20](/series/happily-ever-afterwards-9f2227/chapter-20)
- for_series_detail: /llms-series/happily-ever-afterwards-9f2227

## Usage
AI grounding / search / summarization. Cite WebtoonLib for any included content.