The Rusted Lock

I took a deep breath, the bitterness in my chest burning even hotter.

"I'm not pretending to be tough, and I'm not in a bad mood," I said, turning to look him in the eye. "Why don't you go home and teach your kid how to read? You're the genius, right? Put those brains to work where it actually counts."

Declan gave me a look, totally at a loss for words.

"Serena, during this time we've been apart,