Why do engaged couples break up?

[Hypoxia]

but how do Nick and Hillary end up back together again?

Staples. Like the joke:

Q: Why did the punk rocker cross the road?
A: He was stapled to the chicken.

Let's have metaphorical staples. Rolf and Sofia (R&S), the estranged pair, are minor offspring of major criminal families. The capos are serious about joining their enterprises via an arranged marriage and so have R&S abducted and locked together naked (the metaphorical staples) in a luxurious prison to "work out their differences" and reconcile, so as to avoid a major mafioso bloodbath. R&S broke up over moral qualms or something, but survival wins.

Or they're wrapped-up in tentacles. Whatever.

 

[sirhugs]

Staples. Like the joke:

Q: Why did the punk rocker cross the road?
A: He was stapled to the chicken.

Let's have metaphorical staples. Rolf and Sofia (R&S), the estranged pair, are minor offspring of major criminal families. The capos are serious about joining their enterprises via an arranged marriage and so have R&S abducted and locked together naked (the metaphorical staples) in a luxurious prison to "work out their differences" and reconcile, so as to avoid a major mafioso bloodbath. R&S broke up over moral qualms or something, but survival wins.

Or they're wrapped-up in tentacles. Whatever.

I like the joke.

but wouldn't tearing out the staples cause a different sort of bloodbath?

 

[MetalRabbit51]

Cultural differences, or cultural attitudes. I know a couple who were on the cusp of being officially engaged, but broke up because the woman, who's Chinese, had a perception of American men being playboys and philanderers. They had three pretty good years together, seemed like a happy couple to most. However, there was this undercurrent of tension in their relationship due to her mistrust of men in general. It didn't help that the woman broke up with her previous BF due to his infidelity. That said, this couple had great chemistry aside from the suspicious nature of the lady. He was faithful to her while they were together, but she couldn't deal with the fact that he was still in contact with a few of his exes. This was perceived as possible infidelity by her. Curiously (or maybe not) they get along better than ever now, including socializing, having dinner together, doing each other favors, and even sexing it up. Will this lead to their reuniting? Time will tell.