Chapter 146

The summer mosquitoes were brutal, especially under the lights. They seemed to love Emma—they buzzed all around her, biting her neck and arms, leaving behind little swollen red bumps. But Emma didn't even flinch. She just let them be, as if she couldn't care less. It was a long time before she finally stood up and headed home. At the door, she gave her cheeks a few light slaps to wake herself up before stepping inside. "Dad, I'm back." Matthew was sitting alone in the living room, watching TV while waiting for his daughter. "Hey, hard day? Come sit. Leo's already asleep," he said, giving the spot next to him on the couch a pat. Emma walked over and sat beside her father, and a faint smell of alcohol caught his attention immediately. "You've been drinking?" "Yeah. Michael threw me a welcome party today. Introduced me to a bunch of company execs, so I ended up having a few drinks." "Lucy! Lucy!" Matthew called out right away when he heard that. "What's wrong, sir? Miss is back too," Lucy