"Why are you silent?" Gabriel growled, advancing toward Katelyn with a menacing glare. She instinctively clenched her fists, but the dread rooting her in place kept her from speaking a single word.
Amelie quickly stepped between them, placing both hands on Gabriel's arms to stop him.
"Kate, you should go," she urged gently but firmly.
"You think I'm afraid of my brother?" Katelyn snapped, her voice louder than her courage. "What exactly did I do wrong?" she demanded, her eyes burning with defiance. "It was Amelie who told you about my feelings. Then she even called Karmen. Brother Gabriel, maybe you're blind to it now, but one day you'll see, Amelie is nothing but selfish."
Her voice trembled slightly despite her efforts to appear strong. Inside, she was shaking, but she held on to the belief that Gabriel would never dare raise a hand against her.
Gabriel shoved past Amelie, closing the distance between him and Katelyn with heavy, deliberate steps.
