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 expression

glint of something

slowly. Then if I'm not an outsider, there should be no

grave. I prepare

turned and walked

to come.

go

just as he reached the threshold, he stopped and added, "Of course...

a threat-and Gabriel heard

they discovered,

1/3

Chapter 194

would bring the others.

with-if her body had truly

the hall, Gabriel's face turned

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

was already

the Stonor family, it was clear: Caroline's grave had been

hands trembled as he brushed aside the broken flowers and

down his face in silence, and his fists clenched

last time they'd come here had been

done it recently. Maybe

it really

He turned slowly to

of that day? Is Sophie doing this to

that's not it, Gabriel said weakly. "You know

suddenly roared, his voice breaking with fury and

a good person... so we believed you. We trusted you. But look at this. Look at what she's done.

answer. His firstborn son-usually so obedient-was

moment, Gabriel could no

He closed his eyes.

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

handkerchief from his robes and carefully cleaned the headstone, wiping away the dirt like it

feet and

he