Gabriel, still holding Ava close, fixed Lucas with a penetrating stare. “And you,” he said, his voice low and dangerous. “You stood by and let this happen? The man who vowed to cherish and protect her?”

Lucas shifted, guilt shadowing his features, but he remained silent, unable to meet Gabriel’s eyes.

Ava, emboldened by her brothers’ presence, finally found her voice. “I don’t have to prove anything to anyone,” she said, her voice gaining strength with each word. “Certainly not by degrading myself.”