Fallen Foe (Cruel Castaways, #2)

by L.J. Shen

No one is yours, and you belong to no one. We’re all just fallen foes trying to survive this universe.

Loving someone who doesn’t deserve our love is the greatest punishment one could endure.”

“Outgrew them when I became a widow. Life’s too short to be a well-behaved lady.”

It was the dreams that kept me going. Because where there were dreams—there was hope.

“You hate me,” I spit out. “‘Hate and love are the same mistresses under a different mask.’ I once heard this phrase somewhere, and it made me think of you.”

Isn’t that what we crave, at the end of the day? To belong. To a family, to parents, to partners, to communities?

“Even though he was a certified dirtbag, I hold myself to a higher standard.”

“Too bad we’re not measured based on our good times. It’s how we perform in the bad times that makes us who we are.”

“That’s right, life is a messy business. Living is a lesson in endurance.” Arsène nods. “And endurance is a lesson in humility. The problem with humankind is that everyone wants a simple, comfortable life. But that’s such a terrible existence. How could you ever appreciate the good moments if you haven’t braved the bad ones?

“I’m happy for you,” he says from his spot on the couch. I blink, thinking maybe I misheard him. “Happy for me?” He nods. “Why?” “Because you’re not really heartbroken about Paul. You’re heartbroken over the way you two ended your relationship, and that he didn’t love you enough to accept you despite what you view as your imperfection. That’s an excellent starting point. You’ll move on, find someone else. Someone who realizes the value of a person is measured not by their reproductive system and have a good life. Probably with Nice Rhys or a guy of his brand. Paul will become a distant memory, an anecdote.”