Charlie's body stiffened at his touch. The gesture was so foreign that it robbed her of her breath, leaving her sputtering. She hurt too much to back away, her strength stripped away by the weight of her crushing despair, so her arms fell limp by her sides in her father's embrace.
"Then why," she croaked, "why were you so distant? Why was everything a test..." Her voice was hoarse and raspy. Even the effort burned her throat. "I don't understand!"
"Then why," she croaked, "why were you so distant? Why was everything a test..." Her voice was hoarse and raspy. Even the effort burned her throat. "I don't understand!"
