"Stronger for it?" She croaked. "Stronger for it!?" Charlie spat out a clipped laugh, shoulder shaking. "I feel as though I'm crumbling, Father! But I am not allowed to know weakness or failure, so what am I to do except swallow it down until all that remains in me is this pit of fear? I am nothing but a mask of who you wanted me to be, and behind that mask... behind it I... I-I..." She couldn't even bear to put the rest of her thoughts to words. Charlie broke out of her father's embrace and turned away from him.
"How am I supposed to know the things you've never once spoken? I'm not a mind reader, Father. If you wanted me to be strong... you should have built me up with support from you. From family..."
"How am I supposed to know the things you've never once spoken? I'm not a mind reader, Father. If you wanted me to be strong... you should have built me up with support from you. From family..."
