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

a glint of

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

grave. I prepare

and walked

to come.

can go alone. Or

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

a threat-and Gabriel heard it

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

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Chapter 194

would bring the others.

been tampered with-if her body

footsteps faded down the hall, Gabriel's

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

it was already too

ancestral grounds of the Stonor family, it was clear: Caroline's grave

the headstone. His hands trembled as he brushed aside the broken flowers and torn soil.

his face in silence, and his fists

the last time they'd come here had been barely four months ago-on her

done this... had done it recently. Maybe

really

turned slowly to Gabriel, who stood a few paces

asked, "Father... is this because of that day? Is Sophie doing this to get back at me for hitting

that's not it, Gabriel said weakly.

don't! Benedict suddenly roared, his voice breaking with fury

told us. You said she was kind. You said she was innocent. You said she was a good person... so we believed you. We trusted

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

moment, Gabriel could

He closed his eyes.

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

the headstone, wiping

he rose to his feet and walked away-without once

time, he left his