I whirl to Nikolai, eyes narrowed. “But she didn’t need to feel it! She was a little kid. And our motherwas already a mess. I didn’t want her to think every adult in the world was a selfish, heartlessmonster.”
“But every adult is a selfish, heartless—”
“You are not helpful,” I mumble.
“I’m not trying to be helpful; I’m being honest. You should learn the difference.”
I stand up and pace in front of the couch. “If you’re trying to teach me a lesson, I’m not really in the
Nikolai reclines back in his chair. “When it comes to teaching you lessons, I’ve learned mine. I won’twaste my breath.”
I round on him. All of the tension from the morning is starting to condense in my chest. A tight ball ofanxiety I need to either ease up or erupt, because the pressure of it is killi
