"Never had that," she mused. "I've never been encouraged to be someone better. Someone else, sure. Lots of times. Not someone better."

It might have sounded self-pitying, in the wrong tone, but she wasn't pitying herself. It was just how it was for her. She'd never had anyone on her side except herself. And everyone had wanted to change her, but not for the better, usually. Just for what suited them better.