Miranda, realizing she had overplayed her hand, nodded stiffly, her previous bravado crumbling in the face of the brothers’ united front. “Of course,” she managed to say, though her voice lacked its former confidence.

With the confrontation resolved, Gabriel guided Ava toward the exit, Adrian flanking her other side. They left the ballroom with heads held high, the guests parting to make a path for them, whispering amongst themselves about the spectacle they had witnessed.

Outside, under the quiet canopy of stars, Ava paused, turning to her brothers with gratitude shining in her eyes. “Thank you,” she said, her voice breaking with emotion.

Gabriel squeezed her shoulder, a reassuring presence. “You never have to thank us for standing by you, Ava. Family is everything.”