The moment Axel stepped into the living room, Stella excitedly gasped and waved at him as if he had just seen a celebrity.
"Brother-in-law… you finally came."
A small, warm smile spread across Axel's lips. "Stella," he said, amused by her exaggerated relief.
He continued walking into the room, his gaze landing on Alicia and two elders he had never met before.
They sat close together, looking both warm and slightly tense, and he immediately recognized them as Evelyn's grandparents.
He stopped right in front of them, with his voice respectful, he greeted them, "I am sorry, sir, ma'am. I had an important call I needed to answer."
Instead of being offended, Lucy and Samuel quickly stood, smiling kindly as they extended their hands for a handshake.
"Oh no, it is all right," Lucy said, gripping his hand lightly. "We have just arrived..."
"We completely understand," Samuel added, though his smile looked a little tight.
