Throughout the After franchise, Hardin Scott has never been portrayed as a man who loves easily. He loves intensely, destructively, and often at the cost of his own happiness. But beneath the chaos, one question has followed him from beginning to end: Was Hardin’s heart meant for Tessa Young — or was Natalie the love that forced him to finally grow up?
Tessa Young: The Love That Defined His Youth
There is no denying that Tessa is the emotional core of Hardin’s story. She was his first real love, the one who cracked open walls built from years of anger, trauma, and abandonment. With Tessa, Hardin experienced passion in its rawest form — fiery arguments, heartbreaking betrayals, and moments of deep connection that felt impossible to escape.
Their relationship was never healthy, but it was transformational. Tessa didn’t just love Hardin; she challenged him, pushed him, and suffered because of him. For Hardin, Tessa became a symbol of obsession and destiny — a love he couldn’t let go of, even when it hurt them both.
Natalie: The Reckoning He Couldn’t Avoid
Natalie represents something entirely different. She isn’t tied to Hardin’s passion — she is tied to his guilt. Their past relationship, born from manipulation and cruelty, stands as one of the darkest chapters of Hardin’s life. What he did to Natalie wasn’t a mistake fueled by love; it was a conscious choice rooted in arrogance and emotional immaturity.
When Hardin meets Natalie again years later, the dynamic has shifted. There is no romance, no grand gestures — only accountability. Natalie forces Hardin to confront the man he used to be, without excuses or emotional shields. In many ways, she becomes the mirror Hardin never wanted to look into.
Love vs. Growth: The Real Choice
Tessa was the love that shaped Hardin. Natalie was the experience that humbled him. One relationship was built on emotion, intensity, and fate. The other was built on consequence, regret, and responsibility.
That’s why the debate remains so powerful among fans. Some believe Hardin and Tessa were inevitable — two broken souls colliding until nothing else made sense. Others argue that Natalie, though never his great love, was the turning point that finally pushed Hardin toward maturity.
The Truth Hardin Had to Accept
In the end, Hardin’s story isn’t about choosing between two women — it’s about choosing between who he was and who he needed to become. Tessa will always own a piece of his heart. But Natalie owns the lesson that changed his life.
And sometimes, the person who changes you the most…
isn’t the one you end up loving forever.