I believe that the idea was to start the book very plot dependant because Auren fully trusts Midas and just lets things happen. I think it went wrong because she acted like that for way too long and the moment of her "breaking out" and switching is not really significantly presented. That feels like a wasted chance. 

Throughout the book, we are told of this great love and affection Midas has for Auren, but we just never witness it. They barely interact or have moments alone. I wasn't convinced of his feelings, so even if it was supposed to build up to her feeling betrayed and hurt by him, it didn't carry across because the initial feelings weren't there.