The Billionaire's Mistake

MISTAKE 88

Chapter 88: Confronting the Jones

Emma's fingers trembled slightly as she turned the key in the front door. The joy from Anya's wedding felt distant now, replaced by a familiar heaviness as she stepped into the house. The lingering scent of her sister's wedding flowers still clung to her dress, a stark contrast to the suffocating atmosphere inside. The silence in the house was deafening until Charles's voice shattered it. "Where the hell have you been?" he demanded from his position in the living room armchair, the evening shadows making his expression even darker.

"At Anya's wedding," Emma said, keeping her voice steady despite her racing heart. "I told you about it last week."

"Last week?" Charles let out a harsh laugh, the sound echoing off the walls. "And you didn't

think to invite me?"

"It was a small ceremony." Emma remained by the doorway, her hand still on her purse.

"Small ceremony?" He leaned forward, his knuckles white against the armrest. "Or are you just hiding something from me? You've been acting strange lately, Emma. Very strange."

"What would I be hiding, Charles?" Emma set her purse down carefully, her movements deliberate. "My sister got married. I went to support her. That's all there is to it."

"And my mother called today," Charles said, changing tactics, his voice taking on a dangerous edge. "She was quite upset.

Emma's jaw tightened. "I'm sure she was.

"She says you were rude to her again. Disrespectful After everything she's done for this

family."

Goetending the Jones.

"Disrespectful?" Emma turned to face him fully. "Is that what she calls it when someone stands up for their child?"

"Don't start this again."

your mother acts like you're her whole world? He is my everything. If your

hand through his hair. "Emma, she's his

facing Charles again. You need to learn to get along with my family," he continued, standing up

voice was quiet but firm. "I won't let anyone mistreat our son. If they can't

her. "That's what grandmothers do.

"This has been a business arrangement from the start, and you know it. Someone's getting something out of it, though it certainly isn't me. But I've held up my end of the bargain. "What are

Bontanna the

do I care about you and your filth? My only concern is Henry. He's the only pure thing.

his voice rising. "What has she really done.

him on his bunk! She locked our son in a dark room and wouldn't tell me where he was until I threatened to call the police! Or have you conveniently

rose to match his. "But that is my son. If any of you touch him again, we will all die together in this house. That's not a threat, Charles. That's a promise." "He's my son too!" Charles's face

Where were you when he was crying in that dark room?

his breath hot on her face. "Has anything really happened to him? This builds character! You're turning

dropping to a whisper. "The biggest crime I have ever committed was choosing a father

up, ready to strike. Emma didn't flinch;

our family name in the headlines for domestic abuse? What would your precious mother say about that?" Chagh Coribanting

in the air between them, the tension

it," Emma challenged. "Show me exactly who you are. Show Henry exactly who

over, Emma.

of the living room, her steps measured until she reached the front door. The cool evening air hit her face as she stepped outside, and only then did she allow her hands

concern. "You just left the wedding, a

bench. "I had to stand up to the again. It's getting

me everything. Don't leave anything

got home. He and his mother... they still