I get what you're saying but this is also her sister since birth. I love when the mc stands her ground but I can understand why Paula has given Alicia so many chances since they both came from the same home and blood. This is personal experience speaking but when I had an aggressive family member I hoped for them to stop but also didn't wish anything bad upon them since society has reinforced the idea that family is above all, even when they're not good people. Also, Alicia in the past got constantly praised and treated like she could do no wrong, so Paula probably internalized that over time.
I completely see your point, thank you for sharing your pov :)
I didn’t go into it very well, but I do understand how her traumatic childhood and the relationship she had with her siblings affects her compassion. Paula still loves them sm but holds so much guilt towards them too, so she can’t give up on her one living sibling now too. I admit I was rash. Having never experienced that personally I was just looking for the catharsis of our fl standing up for herself more firmly, but she does stand up for herself in her own ways.
just incase Im putting a spoiler warning, but yall aren’t prepared for Alicias ending
Love Paula SO much, but the one thing about this story is that they never make her strong against her sister. I finished the novel multiple times and am still obsessed, but Alicias end was way too easy. While I agree that she got a fate she considers worse than death, I think she never truly repented. Paula never let go of her. And that’s completely understandable considering her trauma, but god I wish she had been able to stand up against Alicia and stop sympathizing with her. Like she literally tries to kill you girl. Stop being an empath
In all fairness Alicias actions have consequences, but it wasn’t as satisfying as we never get to see her having to live like a peasant while knowing her sister got a new life.