I've seen comments on my work in various outlets implying that they would prefer consequences for the woman's actions. She cheated, so there needs to be consequences.

Why?

I have no idea the specific statistics out there for cheating on a marriage. Is it 50%? 60%? 70%? I have no idea. I 'believe' it's over 50%, but that's just a guess because the divorce rate is around 40% and many of those are due to catching a cheater.

For the sake of argument, let's just say the number is 60%. How many of those do it more than once? Most? Once you have an affair, it's easier to have another one. Right? And how many of those get caught? Well... the last one, usually. But most never get caught. That's why they do it again. It's human nature.

So if most affairs (and by 'most' I am saying 51% of affairs or more) never get caught, why does every single erotic novella need to end in "consequences"?

I write in realism. I come up with an erotic situation and I write the characters into that situation. Sometimes I hit roadblocks. Such as - how do these two characters end up alone? How would this loyal, deeply-moral woman get tempted? And I have a talent for making it work.

I'm not going to end my story with an action scene. Really? You want the husband or boyfriend to find out? And...what - punch the other man? Dump the star character and throw her stuff out on the lawn?

It's an erotic story. When the erotica ends, I wrap things up pretty quickly. I don't thing anyone is going to get off reading an additional five or six pages about "consequences". You can imagine that stuff happening after the story ends. Behind the scenes. If that's what you want. I'll leave that part to your imagination.