Just as Ivy and her teacher were deep in conversation, the apartment's doorbell suddenly rang.
Ivy stood up, brushing her hair back lightly as she said,
"I'll go check." Felix, however, immediately rose as well, waving his hand with a calm authority. "No, I should be the one to answer."
Yet Ivy, without even waiting for his response, continued walking toward the door.
'Sigh! My brother pampers me too much!' she thought in mild exasperation.
Soon after, Felix called out to her from the hallway, "Ivy, your assistant is here."
Ivy nodded and replied, "Bring her in."
She knew that Martha most likely was here to report on base matters.
The moment Martha stepped inside, her steps froze mid-stride, as if the ground beneath her had turned to stone.
The same stillness was reflected in Kael, who had been seated near the window.
Their eyes met, both widening in shock and disbelief, as if time itself held its breath.
