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, his

but a glint of something dark flickered in

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

grave. I prepare the

turned and walked out

to come.

go alone. Or

the threshold, he stopped and added, "Of course... if you choose not to could bring Matthew and

a threat-and Gabriel heard it loud

went with him, then no matter what they discovered, it would stay between them.

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Chapter 194

would bring the others.

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

Benedict's footsteps faded down the hall, Gabriel's face turned even

echoed behind his son. "Don't make things difficult

was

of the Stonor family, it

trembled as he brushed aside the broken flowers and torn soil. "Mother... I

fists clenched

they'd come here had been barely four months ago-on her death

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

it really had

turned slowly to Gabriel, who stood a few

this because of that day? Is Sophie doing this to get back at

Gabriel

suddenly roared, his voice breaking with

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

so obedient-was now weeping before him, accusing

that moment, Gabriel could no longer

He closed his eyes.

Eliza-but never imagined she would go this far. "I'll bring you home, Mother...

pulled a handkerchief from his robes and carefully cleaned the headstone, wiping away the

to his feet and walked away-without

time, he left his