Her smile, though drawn from some strange sense of victory, was one he believed he could remember for years to come. The way her cheeks rose and teeth shone. The sparkle in her eyes as she won their little back-and-forth. It was something that brought a soft smile to Charles's own lips. Maybe he'd allow her some more victories in the future. If this was the outcome, he considered it a victory unto itself.

His eyes didn't move from her. Instead, they took in every miniscule detail of her features and listened to every word she wanted to say. He took a small sip of the tea and nodded along to her words, waiting until she had finished.

"Oh, I see. I'm sorry your father has - had - a bit of a gambling problem. I, erm, -" No, he couldn't say he understood because at it's basis, he didn't. He understood addiction; he'd been subjected to it with the culprit of alcohol though that wasn't something he was inclined to speak about, "That must have been tough for you and your family, Ems. But it looks like you've risen above it and that's important. It's good that you've moved on and grown. I'm glad for it."

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