The Lady Nun Vows Revenge by Caroline Rowland

The Silent 194

Chapter 194

In the end, Eliza and Mary were, of course, escorted out of the estate.

Before leaving. Eliza turned and gave Benedict one final look. Her voice was steady, but her eyes held sorrow as she said, "Benedict our mother loved us. Please, don't let her down."

Benedict stood frozen.

He stared, stunned, as Eliza turned and walked away. For a long moment, he couldn't move. Then he gave a bitter smile.

She hadn't called him brother like that in a long time-not since she'd left the Stonor family.

And yet... he was the eldest of the five siblings.

Caroline had loved them dearly. If she could see what her children had become now, wouldn't she be heartbroken?

"You don't need to bother with that crazy woman's nonsense, Gabriel said, his tone indifferent. "Sophie still hasn't returned. Now that Eliza's off the mountain, follow her. See where she goes-she might lead you straight to Sophie."

Benedict frowned. "And Mother? Aren't you going to check on her grave?"

Gabriel met his son's gaze and hesitated. I'll go now," he replied after a pause. "But we can't ignore Sophie either. So hurry. Go

He thought Benedict would obey-he always had.

But this time. Benedict didn't move. "No," he said.

Gabriel blinked.

Benedict didn't back down. His voice v was calm but firm. "Father, come see Mother. Now, I'll go with you."

Gabriel's fingers twitched. His eyes narrowed.

For a long moment, father and son stood locked in a silent stare.

The irony burned. Eliza is my blood sister. How could you ever call her an outsider?

Gabriel's jaw tightened. "Of course not. You're my eldest son,"

And then Benedict smiled-coldly, sadly, "What's wrong. Father? De

you think I'm an outsider too!"

I'll go

voice faltered,

glint of

slowly. Then if I'm not an outsider, there should be

grave.

and walked out the

to come.

can go

and added, "Of course... if you choose not to could bring Matthew and Anthony

threat-and Gabriel

no matter what they discovered, it would stay between them. But if

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Chapter 194

would bring the others.

if they found out Caroline's grave had been tampered with-if her body had truly been stolen-Gabriel

Benedict's footsteps faded down the

and cold, echoed behind his

was already too

of the Stonor family, it was clear: Caroline's grave had been disturbed. Both

brushed aside the broken flowers

in silence, and his fists clenched in helpless rage. This grave had

the last time they'd come here had been barely four

had done this... had done it recently. Maybe even within the past

it really had been

Benedict's mind. He turned slowly to Gabriel, who stood

that day? Is Sophie doing this to get back at me for hitting

no, that's not it, Gabriel said weakly. "You

roared, his voice breaking with fury

said she was kind. You said she was innocent. You said she was a good person... so

firstborn son-usually so obedient-was now weeping before him, accusing him, heartbroken

Gabriel could no

He closed his eyes.

known she hated Eliza-but never imagined she would go this far. "I'll

carefully cleaned the headstone, wiping away the dirt like it was the only thing he could

feet and

first time, he left his