Chapter 35: Yulian – A Brutal Confrontation and Origins of Obsession
⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.
Summary
The chapter opens in Yaroslav Dimitriev’s basement, where Yulian has been kidnapped and tied to a chair. His father, Yaroslav, confronts him with a photo of Yulian kissing Vaughn. Enraged, Yaroslav beats Yulian, calling him homophobic slurs and threatening to break his whole body. Yulian defiantly defends his sexuality and his mother, but the assault continues. Amid the pain, Yulian regrets his last argument with Vaughn and wishes he had kissed him one more time.
The narrative then flashes back four years. Shortly after the cave incident, Yulian sneaks to New York City to see Vaughn at his school. Despite his injury and the risk of his father’s punishment, Yulian hopes to reconnect. He watches Vaughn from a distance and sees him kiss a girl. Heartbroken, Yulian receives a text from Cyrus: his mother has died and his sister Alina has been in an accident. The chapter ends with Yulian’s obsession shattering into hatred.
Key Events
- Yaroslav Dimitriev kidnaps Yulian and straps him to a chair in the basement.
- Yaroslav shows Yulian a photo of him kissing Vaughn and beats him for being gay.
- Yulian verbally fights back, defending his sexuality and his mother’s memory.
- Yaroslav threatens to kill Yulian, breaking his ribs in the process.
- In the flashback, Yulian travels to New York with a fake ID from Cyrus to see Vaughn.
- Yulian witnesses Vaughn kissing a girl and feels his heart break.
- Cyrus texts Yulian that his mother has died and Alina has been in an accident.
- Yulian’s feelings for Vaughn transform from affection to hatred.
Character Development
Yulian: This chapter deepens Yulian’s defiance. In the present, he refuses to be shamed for his sexuality or his mother’s legacy, even under brutal torture. The flashback shows a younger, hopeful Yulian who risks everything for a chance with Vaughn. His heartbreak and the tragic news from home scar him, turning his obsession into a dangerous fixation.
Yaroslav Dimitriev: Yaroslav is revealed as a virulently homophobic and abusive father. He uses physical violence and emotional manipulation to enforce his standards, showing no love for Yulian.
Vaughn (in flashback): Though not directly present, Vaughn’s actions – kissing a girl – reinforce his initial heterosexuality and create the foundation for Yulian’s later conflicted feelings.
Cyrus: Mentioned as the source of Yulian’s fake ID and the bearer of tragic news. His warning that liking Vaughn would only bring pain proves prescient.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
Abuse and Homophobia: Yaroslav’s tirade highlights the brutal homophobia Yulian has endured for years. The beating is both physical and psychological, intended to break Yulian’s identity.
Obsession vs. Hatred: The flashback shows the birth of Yulian’s obsession with Vaughn. When that obsession is met with rejection and tragedy, it curdles into hatred – a central emotional arc for Yulian.
Father-Son Conflict: Yaroslav sees Yulian’s sexuality as a weakness and a failure. Yulian’s defiance represents a generational and moral battle for self-acceptance.
Sacrifice and Regret: Yulian regrets his last fight with Vaughn, wishing for one more kiss. This regret underscores the cost of his impulsive, obsessive behavior.
Why This Chapter Matters
Chapter 35 is a turning point. It anchors Yulian’s present-day suffering in his traumatic past. The flashback explains why Yulian’s feelings for Vaughn are so tangled in pain, guilt, and anger. It also reveals the depth of Yaroslav’s cruelty, establishing the stakes for Yulian’s survival and future choices. The chapter forces readers to reconsider Yulian’s earlier actions in light of this backstory.
Study Questions and Answers
1. How does Yulian’s defiance in the present contrast with his vulnerability in the flashback?
In the present, Yulian directly challenges his father, yelling back and defending his mother. In the flashback, he is hopeful and desperate for Vaughn’s affection, showing emotional vulnerability. The contrast emphasizes how Yulian has hardened because of trauma.
2. What role does Cyrus’s text play in Yulian’s emotional shift?
The text arrives immediately after Yulian sees Vaughn kiss a girl, crushing his romantic hope. The news of his mother’s death and Alina’s accident makes Yulian associate Vaughn with this devastating moment, turning his love into hatred.
3. Why does Yulian think about Alina and Vaughn during his beating?
Yulian’s thoughts reveal his priorities: his sister Alina, whom he cares for, and Vaughn, whom he regrets fighting with. The beating makes him realize the fragility of life, prompting regrets about his last interaction with Vaughn.