Nor is it the kind of story I am likely to want to write. But with each new path, there are things lost as well as things gained.

Really, above, it was a trick question, since life is rarely a simple either-or. Some story threads get highlighted, and others have less importance to the main characters, but they don't simply vanish--or if they do, readers like you will call me on it, and point out I left a huge plot hole! :-D