Chapter 163

• Reaching home, as Carter turned the key in the lock, the familiar creak of the door announced his arrival home. Stepping into the dimly lit living room, he found Lyssa sound asleep on the couch, a rerun of an old sitcom playing softly on the TV. He couldn't help but smile at the peaceful expression on her face, her long black hair cascading over the armrest.
• Gently setting down his briefcase, Carter approached the couch and reached out to shake Mercy awake. "Hey, Mercy," he whispered softly, giving her shoulder a light tap. "You fell asleep watching TV."
• Lyssa stirred, blinking her eyes open slowly before sitting up with a start. "Oh, I'm so sorry, Carter," she exclaimed, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment. "I must have dozed off while waiting for you."