“If you’re calling me an asshole—” “You’re the biggest one yet. But guess what?” She bared her teeth. “I want this more than you do.” “You want what exactly? What is this one great passion?” “Anything. Everything. Independence, self-discovery, romantic love, spiritual or professional fulfillment—whatever it is, it’s mine.” Her rasping breaths fell in a beguiling tumble of sounds, striking the air with tenacity. “The passion is in pursuing the life I want, and no one is going to take that from me.”
