General Patrick quietly stares at his phone before looking at the confused Colonel. Forcing a little smile, he taps his hand on Mason's shoulder as he says, "I'll be right back." He then walks to the balcony on the left and calls his daughter back with a bit of hesitation.
"Father."
The calm greeting of his daughter somehow subdues the pressure that the General feels and he softly exhales. "You must be disappointed, Alycia," he murmurs. "I'm sorry."
Once again, his apology reminds him of how useless and incompetent he is as a father and Patrick Cortez feels suffocated. Not to mention that it only grows worse when he is met with silence which is a bit too long to be considered normal. "Alice -"
"I was wondering why you agreed to it," Alycia Reese finally speaks up in a low voice. "Is your reason the same as last time, Father?"
Last time? What is she talking about?
