On the day of the funeral, Nichole wore a simple ck dress. Her stomach was still t, 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.”


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    It wasn’t long before Colt hurried over, saying to Bea, “Madam, Mr. Burke has said he won’t be


    attending today.”


    “He’s noting? 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 dered, “Go fetch James immediately. Tell him it’s mymand. 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, amotion arose from the crowd.


    “Isn’t that Mrs. Burke?”


    “Wasn’t Mrs. Burke dered 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 ck 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 arge,


    framed photo of herself in ck and white.


    “How could this be? How could Sophie possibly be alive?”


    Nichole’s face was a mask of difort. 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 copsed, but for the sake of


    maintaining a facade ofposure 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?”