Chapter 590
Katelyn’s eyes glistened, the unshed tears catching the warm overhead light. Hearing those words from Gabriel felt like she finally achieved in making him realize how wrong he was.
“I was never the brother you deserved,” Gabriel continued. “I doubted you, I doubted your abilities, and honestly… I didn’t want to face you, Kate. Facing you meant facing my own failures.” He sat with his hands clasped so tightly together that his knuckles were white, showing the crushing guilt he had carried since the attack.
Katelyn let out a small, playful smirk fighting its way through her tears. “In that case, you have a lot of making up to do. You should pamper me more,” she stated. “Only then will I even consider forgiving you p>
Gabriel looked up, his gaze searching hers with an earnestness she had never seen. “I will do my best. Name it, Kate. Anything you want, anything money or power can provide, it’s yours,” he asserted.
“Umm… I want a lot of things,” she began, ticking them off on her fingers. “I want a shopping date with my brother where you don’t look at your watch once. I want you to stand before the entire court and tell them exactly how powerful I am. Everything a little sister should get when she’s being spoiled… I want all of it p>
“Done. I’ll do every bit of it,” Gabriel promised, his voice a low vow. “Just focus on recovering. Get back on your feet.” His gaze involuntarily drifted back to the bandages on her cheek, and his fingers curled into tight fists. The sight of her marred skin was a silent scream for vengeance.
Katelyn’s expression shifted as the playfulness from her eyes vanished. “Brother, bring an end to Ophelia for good this time. Now that I’ve faced her… I realize just how truly evil she is. She’s crazy. You and Amelie are innocent, who did nothing wrong. The witch won’t understand it. Also, have you found out the way you’re going to kill her p>
“Not yet,” Gabriel replied. “But fret not. We are on it. When the moon event arrives, I will ensure Ophelia perishes.” He reached out, his large hand finding hers and giving it a gentle squeeze before he finally rose to his feet.
He was halfway to the door when Katelyn’s voice stopped him, smaller and more fragile than before. “I thought I wouldn’t make it here,” she confessed.
The words caused Gabriel’s heart to thunder against his ribs at the thought of a world without her. He turned back instantly and walked to her, with a protective instinct. “That wouldn’t have happened. I knew her location, Kate. I would have breached the gates of hell to rescue you at any cost. Now, don’t let those thoughts take root. You’re safe here p>
He stepped back to the bedside, bending down slightly to plant a tender kiss on the top of her head. “I’m proud of you, Kate. And again, you have my heartfelt apologies p>
With a final, lingering look to ensure she was truly alright, he took a few steps back and exited the room.
The moment he was gone, Katelyn’s lips curled into a wide, genuine smile, and she let out a soft, giddy breath. “Yay! I feel so, so good!” she murmured to herself, her heart beating fast, not with fear this time, but with the joy of finally being loved and seen by the brother she adored.
“I wonder where are my other two brothers,” she mumbled before reaching out to TV remote.
Outside the room, Gabriel and Sage stood in the quiet drawing room.
“Kate has been eagerly waiting for you since the moment she woke up,” Sage mused. “Finally, you decided to show yourself p>
“I was unable to face her,” Gabriel admitted. “I spent so long finding faults in her, focusing on her flaws rather than her heart. She… She’s worried about her face, Sage. Make sure she knows not to worry about it. Tell her whatever she needs to hear p>
Sage nodded slowly. “I’ll handle it. But I didn’t realize Ophelia’s vengeance ran this deep,” he added quietly. “It must have been an unbearable burden for you and Amelie all this time. I think perhaps your frustration toward the situation was the reason you were so hard on p>
“No,” Gabriel cut in. “I won’t make any excuses this time. The truth is, I have an arrogance that has always sat heavy on my head. I have been like that for a long time, perhaps since birth. I’ve been arrogant toward the people around me, toward the very people who cared for me most. It wasn’t the stress; it was me. I’ve been like this and I refused to let anyone teach me p>
Sage nodded slowly. “Do you want my help?” he asked.
“No,” Gabriel replied firmly. “I’ve been keeping people away from this for a reason. I don’t want anyone else to get caught in the crossfire. Keeping a limited, precise force and attacking Ophelia at her weakest point is the only way to minimize the casualties p>
“Still, let me join you whenever—” Sage began, his protective instinct for the family rising, but he couldn’t finish the thought.
“Stay with Kate,” Gabriel interrupted. “Your mate needs you now more than ever. Also Gabriel paused, looking at Sage with a profound seriousness. “Love her beyond any limits. Don’t ever let your pride hurt her. That’s all I need from you p>
Gabriel turned to leave, but he was nearly collided with by Casaio and Dominick, who were marching down the hall laden with shopping bags and aromatic takeout containers.
“Glad you’re here!” Casaio said, a bright smile lighting up his face as he shifted the weight of his bags.
“Else, we would have to send a search party to bring you,” Dominick added with a playful wink.
“We’ve gathered all of Kate’s favorite comfort foods,” Casaio stated, gesturing to the bags. “Along with a few winter dresses we thought she’d like p>
Dominick’s expression turned slightly more perceptive as he glanced at Gabriel. “So, did you finally do it? Did you apologize to Kate for being such an arrogant prick toward her p>
“Yes,” Gabriel answered shortly. He walked toward them, eyeing the greasy paper bags. “But you shouldn’t have brought food from outside. She’s still recovering; her system is fragile right now p>
“Oh, come on, Gabriel!” Casaio laughed, waving off his brother’s concern with a flick of his hand. “She’s an Alpha! She doesn’t need to be wrapped in cotton wool and fed broth. A little spice will bring the life back into her. Let’s go. Sage, come join us p>