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

of something dark flickered in his

if I'm not an

visiting my mother's grave. I prepare the

and walked out the

to come.

go alone. Or

course... if you choose not to could bring Matthew and Anthony

threat-and Gabriel

matter what they discovered, it would stay between them. But if he

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Chapter 194

would bring the others.

grave had been tampered with-if her body had truly been stolen-Gabriel wouldn't be able

down the hall, Gabriel's face

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

it was already

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

of the headstone. His hands trembled as he brushed aside the broken flowers

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

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

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

it really had been

mind. He turned slowly to Gabriel, who stood a few paces away, still

smile, Benedict asked, "Father... is this because of that day? Is Sophie doing

it, Gabriel said weakly.

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

"I don't know her. Everything we knew about her-you told us. You said she was kind. You said she was innocent. You said she was a good person... so we

firstborn son-usually so obedient-was now weeping

that moment, Gabriel could no longer defend

He closed his eyes.

never imagined she would go this far. "I'll bring

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

his feet

time, he left