For fans of the After franchise, few fictional relationships have sparked as much debate as that of Hardin Scott and Tessa Young. Across five emotionally charged films — beginning with After (2019) and concluding with After Everything (2023) — audiences have been both captivated and conflicted by their intense connection. Some call it the ultimate love story. Others argue it’s a case study in toxicity. Now that the saga has ended, it’s time to ask the big question one last time: Was Hardin and Tessa’s relationship a toxic entanglement that should have ended long ago, or was it a powerful journey of emotional growth and redemption?
Let’s dive into the complexities of their relationship and examine whether what they had was true love — or something far more damaging. Hardin and Tessa’s story began like many classic romances — opposites drawn to each other in a whirlwind of desire and tension. Tessa, the shy and studious college freshman, was intrigued by Hardin’s brooding demeanor and mysterious charm. Hardin, the rebellious loner with a troubled past, found solace in Tessa’s purity and sincerity.
But their connection, though electric, was turbulent from the start. Hardin was emotionally closed off, manipulative, and prone to cruelty. Tessa, while more emotionally stable, often excused his behavior in the name of love. One of the most damaging early moments was Hardin’s initial bet to seduce Tessa — a betrayal that set the tone for the unhealthy power dynamics that followed. Throughout the first four films (After, After We Collided, After We Fell, and After Ever Happy), a pattern became unmistakably clear. Hardin and Tessa would argue, break up, reunite, and repeat — often within the same scene. Their love seemed built on chaos, with moments of tenderness quickly followed by emotional explosions.
Hardin struggled with anger issues, jealousy, and abandonment wounds that led to destructive behavior. He drank excessively, lashed out, and frequently took Tessa for granted. Meanwhile, Tessa sacrificed her own well-being, career prospects, and family relationships to stay in the relationship.
Despite the drama, many fans argue that Hardin and Tessa’s relationship was, at its core, a journey of healing. Hardin’s trauma — rooted in childhood neglect, abuse, and grief — made him emotionally volatile. But Tessa was often his anchor, the one person who saw the man behind the walls. Over time, he began to change. He apologized more. He reflected. He tried to become better — not just for Tessa, but for himself. Tessa, too, matured. She learned to set boundaries and eventually walked away when the relationship became too damaging. That decision alone showed growth and strength — something she might not have been capable of earlier in the series.
By the time we reach After Everything, the dynamic has shifted. The final film shows Hardin seeking forgiveness not just from Tessa, but from others he’s hurt. He travels, reflects, apologizes, and finally understands that love isn’t about possession — it’s about respect. When he and Tessa reunite at Landon’s wedding, it’s not as broken lovers, but as evolved individuals. Their interaction is calm, respectful, and laced with maturity.
This, supporters say, is the payoff: two people who grew because of each other, even if it took years of pain to get there. However, critics of the relationship aren’t convinced. They argue that the damage done during those early years — the manipulation, the betrayal, the emotional dependency — outweighs any redemption arc. Hardin’s apologies, while sincere, came after repeated patterns of abuse. And Tessa’s forgiveness, while admirable, sends a dangerous message to viewers: that it’s romantic to endure pain if it’s in the name of love. Many mental health experts have weighed in, suggesting that the series glamorizes trauma bonding — where people confuse intense emotional ups and downs with genuine affection. Hardin and Tessa weren’t just dysfunctional; they were emotionally entangled in a way that made them co-dependent.
Tessa often gave more than she received, and Hardin, despite his growth, often regressed. Real-life relationships like theirs are often exhausting and damaging, and some believe the films fail to address that clearly enough. What makes Hardin and Tessa’s relationship so compelling — and divisive — is that it refuses to be simple. They are not villains or saints. They are flawed, deeply human characters struggling to love each other while healing from their own wounds. For some, that’s beautiful. For others, it’s dangerous.
The reality is that many real-life relationships mirror aspects of theirs — the passion, the arguments, the pain, the desire to change. The After series gives voice to the messy middle ground of love, where feelings are real but not always healthy, and where growth is possible but not guaranteed. What’s important is that the final chapter, After Everything, doesn’t offer a fairytale. It offers closure. Hardin and Tessa don’t ride off into the sunset declaring eternal love. They meet as changed people. They talk, they forgive, and they let go of what once defined them.
