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
His voice faltered, his expression stiff
He turned away, but a glint of something dark flickered in his eyes.
Benedict nodded slowly. Then if I’m not an outsider, there should be no issue with me visiting my mother’s grave. I prepare the carriage.”
He turned and walked out the door.
to come.
I can go alone. Or I
But just as he reached the threshold, he stopped and added, “Of course… if you choose not to could bring Matthew and Anthony with me
It was a threat–and Gabriel heard it loud and clear,
If Gabriel went with him, then no matter what they discovered, it would stay between them. But if he refused… Benedict
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Chapter 194
would bring the others.
And if they found out Caroline’s grave had been tampered with–if her body had truly been stolen–Gabriel wouldn’t be able to bury the truth anymore.
As Benedict’s footsteps faded down the hall, Gabriel’s face turned even paler.
His voice, low and cold, echoed behind his son. “Don’t make things difficult for me.”
But it was already too late.
By the time they reached the ancestral grounds of the Stonor family, it was clear: Caroline’s grave had been disturbed. Both men froze.
Benedict stumbled forward, collapsing at the base of the headstone. His hands trembled as he brushed aside the broken flowers and torn soil. “Mother… I was too late. I failed you”
Tears streamed down his face in silence, and his fists clenched in helpless rage.
This grave had been desecrated.
And the last time they’d come here had been barely four months ago–on her death anniversary.
Whoever had done this… had done it recently. Maybe even within the past month.
If it really had been Sophie–why?
Then something clicked in Benedict’s mind. He turned slowly to Gabriel, who stood a few paces away, still dazed.
With a twisted, tear–streaked smile, Benedict asked, “Father… is this because of that day? Is Sophie doing this to get back at me for hitting her?”
“No… no, that’s not it, Gabriel said weakly. “You know Sophie.
“I don’t! Benedict suddenly roared, his voice breaking with fury and grief.
He clung to Caroline’s grave and sobbed. “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 believed you. We trusted you. But look at this. Look at what she’s done. Is this innocence? Is this kindness? Or have you been lying to us from the beginning?”
Gabriel had no answer. His firstborn son–usually so obedient–was now weeping before him, accusing him, heartbroken beyond measure.
And in that moment, Gabriel could no longer defend Sophie.
He closed his eyes.
He had known she hated Eliza–but never imagined she would go this far. “I’ll bring you home, Mother… I promise,” Benedict whispered.
With trembling hands, he pulled a handkerchief from his robes and carefully cleaned the headstone, wiping away the dirt like it was the only thing he could still do for her,
Then he rose to his feet and walked away–without once looking back.
For the first time, he left his father behind.
Only when he had gone did Gabriel move. Slowly, he stepped forward and stood before Caroline’s grave.
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