Fallen Foe (Cruel Castaways, #2)

by L.J. Shen

I understand that in our work, doesn’t matter whether it’s acting or writing, what’s important isn’t fame or glamour, none of the things I used to dream about. It’s the ability to endure. —Anton Chekhov, The Seagull

“You know, Mars is red because it’s covered in iron oxide, which is essentially rust. It is also the prime candidate to be the next place humans would live on.” “What’s your point?” I look up at him with a sigh. “My point”—he takes a sip of his drink—“is that just because something doesn’t work properly, or is rusty—like your heart—doesn’t mean it can’t survive.”

“I am Mars, and there might be life on it. There could be. Thanks to you. I burn for you, Winnifred. And I’m tired of living in the cold.