The Lady Nun Vows Revenge by Caroline Rowland

The Silent 208

Chapter 208

Mary had just been checking Dylan's wound when she paused at Eliza's words. "You've already chosen the place?"

Eliza nodded. "I have"

"Is it beautiful Mary asked, her voice low and hesitant. Is it hidden enough? Secluded enough that no one will ever find

her!"

Eliza met her eyes and answered gently, but firmly. "Yes. The view is lovely. It's peaceful. And no one will ever disturb her again."

"Good" Mary murmured, her voice softening with emotion. She carefully reached out and took the box from Eliza's hands- the one that held Caroline's bones.

Eliza had already prepared everything. The bones were sealed inside a lacquered casket that had once been brought over with the Padilla family's dowry. A faint floral scent lingered on the box, disguising any trace of decay.

Mary cradled it like the most fragile of treasures. Her eyes were red as she said, "I'll speak with her a little while. I'll come find you later.

Eliza gave a quiet nod. "Alright

But later didn't come until dusk the next day.

It had been an entire day and night before Mary returned, clutching the casket tightly to her chest. Her face was pale, eyes swollen, and even her usual upright posture had wilted.

"Serenity: she whispered, voice trembling. "Go... bury your mother."

She handed the box back to Eliza with reverent care, and her hands wouldn't stop shaking.

"When it's done." Mary added, almost pleadingly, "tell no one- sleep in silence. No one should ever disturb her again. And... when I die...

—not even me. Caroline always loved

peace and quiet. Let her

Mary paused, then continued in a breathless hush, "if you're willing, bury me beside her."

Her penance wasn't over yet. But when it was, she wanted to follow Caroline-to rest beside her, at last.

to

she could finish.

glance at the casket, Then turned and left the

drifted back to Eliza from beneath the archway, soft and fading: The orchids in my garden...

the next three days, Mary

at the sight. They were immaculate, arranged with care on

time she came to Saint Grace Nunnery. She'd gotten lost and stumbled into a courtyard blooming with orchids. And there Mary had stood under the Lunar Arch, stern-faced, cradling a pot of flowers. She had opened her mouth to scold-only to

it must've been deeper than anything

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Chapter 208

didn't

left one-the most beautiful-at Mary's doorstep. Alongside it, a

Mother wouldn't want you to be alone. So I'm leaving this orchid with you to keep you

the note

a word. But a single tear slipped from her

all of Mary's orchids around her mother's resting

the stillness of the pocket farm, where no one

for an entire day, whispering memories, sharing regrets, pouring out the love she had never been able to

she murmured, curled beside the headstone as though curling beside her mother's body,

slept there for three

Her father had never betrayed them. Her brothers-Benedict, Dylan. Matthew, Anthony-still loved her dearly. Sophie

Bur dreams always end.

pulled herself

scorpion venom and administered it to Dylan. When he'd

away from Saint Grace Nunnery with one last longing glance over his shoulder, hoping-just hoping for a glimpse of the girl

became the second man to leave that place with nothing but silence and

deeply, Mary told him.

lowered his head. "It's alright, he said. Tll spend a lifetime

Stonor residence, Sophie finally awoke after three days of frantic

doctors, had worked round the clock to drag

opened her eyes and saw Gabriel by her bedside, she burst into tears. "F-Father. I thought... I'd

was stone. "You knew

and you still did it. Look at where