Chapter 285
On the day of the funeral, Nichole wore a simple black dress. Her stomach was still flat, but she intentionally protruded it, eager to let everyone know she was carrying the future of the Burke family.
Bea was greeting the amiving guests, but James was nowhere to be seen.
Turning to Nichole beside her, Bea Inquired, “Where’s James?”
Nichole shook her head, replying. “I haven’t seen him at all this morning.”
It wasn’t long before Colt hurried over, saying to Bea, “Madam, Mr. Burke has said he won’t be attending today.”
“He’s not coming? How could that be possible?”
Given that James and Sophie’s divorce had not yet been finalized, they were still a loving couple to the public eye. How could a husband be absent at his wife’s burial?
What would everyone think?
Frowning, Bea declared, “Go fetch James immediately. Tell him it’s my command. If he doesn’t show up today, he’ll no longer be my grandchild!”
“Yes.”
Colt quickly departed.
“Who is that woman with Bea?”
“Don’t you know? That’s the student Mr. Burke took under his wing, rumored to be carrying Mr. Burke’s child. She’s just waiting to give birth before they could wed.”
“Mrs. Burke has just passed, yet the Burke family carries on so heartlessly.”
Suddenly, a commotion arose from the crowd.
“Isn’t that Mrs. Burke?”
“Wasn’t Mrs. Burke declared dead? How has she returned?”
The murmurs reached Bea and Nichole’s ears.
Nichole immediately sensed something amiss and, upon looking up, she saw a woman in a black dress and an elegant hat making her way through the crowd.
Sophie’s appearance was stunning and regal, immediately capturing everyone’s attention as she entered.
Bea spotted Sophie, and her expression darkened.
“Sophie?”
Bea thought she was seeing things. Hadn’t Sophie been lost at sea? How could she possibly be alive?
Colt smiled at the sight of Sophie unharmed in the church. “Madam, you’re alive?”
Sophie ignored the crowd, instead walking to the center of the church, her eyes catching a large, framed photo of herself in black and white.
“How could this be? How could Sophie possibly be alive?”
Nichole’s face was a mask of discomfort. She had clearly seen Sophie fall into the sea, and there was no way Sophie could still be alive!
Sophie smiled slightly. “It seems Ms. Nichole is not too pleased with my survival.”
Nichole felt as if all strength had been sapped from her. She nearly collapsed, but for the sake of maintaining a facade of composure before the crowd, she managed a strained smile. “How could… How could that be. I am, of course, delighted at your return…”
Is it delight, or is it fear?”