Problem: Continue the following story.

My friendship with him was a lot worse than my marriage because the 
Here's how I want to continue it: friendship was broken.

Problem: Continue the following story.

Christopher showed Neil how to clean the showerhead because 
Here's how I want to continue it: Christopher had cleaned a lot of bathrooms.

Problem: Continue the following story.

Mary refused to pay attention to Emily's romantic interest in them, because 
Here's how I want to continue it:
Mary had zero interest.