As survivors of childhood sexual abuse, both Eva and Gideon struggle to navigate adulthood while grappling with impact of their respective residual trauma. In different ways, Eva and Gideon turn to control as a survival tactic. Described as “shrewd and assessing,” Gideon maintains strict control over every aspect of his life (6). His dominance offers him power and safety. Eva relies on her independence as a shield to protect herself from growing too attached to others around her. Self-reliant, Eva strives to maintain a control that allows her to feel empowered and no longer victimized. In the therapy session with her mother, Dr. Petersen reiterates Eva’s need for control to her mother when he advises her to “‘respect her rights to establish boundaries now in the manner that best suits her’” (200). Ultimately, Eva and Gideon’s dependence on maintaining control alienates them from true human connection. Through their relationship with each other, Eva and Gideon learn how relinquishing control builds trust and allows them to experience true unconditional love.

From the onset of their relationship, Eva feels an undeniable pull to release the control and independence that dictate her life. Her physical attraction to Gideon “was impossible to control” and leads Eva to make uncharacteristic decisions to pursue a relationship with Gideon (105).