100 Manipulation or Mental Distress?

The president spoke up again once all his daughters were out of the room, "Come here, son."

Natalie's heart throbbed when Alonso knelt by his father and looked up at him. "Why are you in this state?" he asked with a strained voice. "What happened to you?"

"Am I not a burden on your shoulders, son?"

Natalie flinched away from the window, placing a hand on her heart. This was all — as she had expected — a reaction to what the two of them talked about in his office.

Alonso's head dropped, his hair covering his eyes. When he raised his head again, he held his father's hand that was over the table in front of him.

"What are you talking about all of a sudden?"

"This family, all of these responsibilities. I am most likely what weighs on you the most though, aren't I? Wouldn't your load get lighter if I were out of the picture?"