This chapter takes us to Christian's family's house for an almost comically tense family dinner. Between Kate trying to run interference between Ana and her abusive boyfriend, and the waitstaff flirting with Christian all night, I'm honestly not sure how any of us will make it to the next chapter.

Content warnings for this chapter: statutory rape mention, non-consensual kink, mild abusive behavior, arguably non-consensual touch.

Find Leigh elsewhere online: allmylinks.com/leighcartist for her "vanilla" work, or allmylinks.com/candikitten for her adult work.

Find this podcast elsewhere: allmylinks.com/thecurdledpod

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In this chapter, Christian takes Ana through a scene in his play room for the first time. He shows her the basics of protocol he'd like her to observe while in the room, something of what a scene here would look like...and generally how incompetent he is at being a dominant. Fun!

Content warnings for this chapter: racism, Nazi mention, poor pre-scene negotiation, mention of body image issues, inappropriate restraint using zip ties.

Find Leigh elsewhere online: allmylinks.com/leighcartist for her "vanilla" work, or allmylinks.com/candikitten for her adult work.

Find this podcast elsewhere: allmylinks.com/thecurdledpod

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This chapter sees Ana leaving her old job and moving into her new apartment...all while Christian constantly pesters her to stay in contact with him. We end on the precipice of another weekend at Christian's apartment, and whatever fun new abuses that may bring.

Content warnings for this chapter: grooming mention, sexual assault mention, stalking mention/jokes about, controlling behavior, dismissal of emotions, alcohol mention, poor domination.

Find Leigh elsewhere online: allmylinks.com/leighcartist for her "vanilla" work, or allmylinks.com/candikitten for her adult work.

Find this podcast elsewhere: allmylinks.com/thecurdledpod

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Thank you for hanging in there, I know this one is posting late!

In this chapter, Ana is given her first spanking, as a punishment for rolling her eyes at Christian. When he then leaves her with barely any aftercare, she's left to deal with a whole host of confusing, conflicting feelings and no one to talk them over with. Because erotica!

Content warnings for this chapter: (briefly) ignoring boundaries, trauma mention, inappropriate domination, intentionally intoxicating a partner, non-con/kidnapping roleplay mention, dubious consent before a scene, punishment spanking, poor aftercare after a scene, brief slutshaming, food insecurity mention, brief self-loathing, and Christian generally being an asshole and a toxic partner.

Find Leigh elsewhere online: allmylinks.com/leighcartist for her "vanilla" work, or allmylinks.com/candikitten for her adult work.

Find this podcast elsewhere: allmylinks.com/thecurdledpod

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In this chapter Christian comes over to "negotiate" soft limits with Ana. And by "negotiate" I of course mean bulldoze over just about every concern she brings up, so that he can still get his way. I'm really hoping Ana can learn to stand up for herself and her boundaries...but something tells me that's unlikely.

Content warnings for this chapter: dismissive behavior, controlling behavior, coercion/manipulation, alcohol/mild intoxication.

Find Leigh elsewhere online: allmylinks.com/leighcartist for her "vanilla" work, or allmylinks.com/candikitten for her adult work.

Find this podcast elsewhere: allmylinks.com/thecurdledpod

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This is a bit of a filler chapter (meaning it's more plot-heavy than kink-heavy) but there's still plenty to critique! Ana goes to her graduation, where she meets back up with Christian and makes her decision about whether or not to continue her relationship with him (bet you can't guess what she decides!)

Content warnings for this chapter: kinkshame mention, sexual assault mention, food insecurity mention, jealousy, controlling behavior, coercion/pressuring into a decision.

Find Leigh elsewhere online: allmylinks.com/leighcartist for her "vanilla" work, or allmylinks.com/candikitten for her adult work.

Find this podcast elsewhere: allmylinks.com/thecurdledpod

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Ana and Christian meet to discuss The Contract. Boundaries are...blatantly ignored at every turn. Ana's submission is called into question as she *checks notes* tries to negotiate. Fun times!

Content warnings for this chapter: ignoring a direct "no", all kinds of pushing of boundaries, coercion for sex, unhealthy attitudes toward food, inappropriate dominance, ignorant attitudes toward kink.

Find Leigh elsewhere online: allmylinks.com/leighcartist for her "vanilla" work, or allmylinks.com/candikitten for her adult work.

Find this podcast elsewhere: allmylinks.com/thecurdledpod

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Ana "jokingly" sends Christian an email breaking up with him, and Christian's response is...not great. I get a bit shouty on this one (:

Content warnings for this chapter: kinkshame (of course), sexual assault mention, seduction/mild coercion, kink scene enacted with no prior negotiation/consent, abusive isolation mention.

Find Leigh elsewhere online: allmylinks.com/leighcartist for her "vanilla" work, or allmylinks.com/candikitten for her adult work.

Find this podcast elsewhere: allmylinks.com/thecurdledpod

Logo by Rhys Jones tearlessrainart.tumblr.com