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."

gaining strength. "Let me make myself perfectly clear. Henry is my son. The same way your mother acts like you're her whole world? He is my everything. If your mother ever lays a hand on him again, even just a pinch, I will raise this house

she's

discretely reached for her phone, turning on the recorder before facing Charles again. You need to learn to get along with my family," he continued, standing up

our son. If they can't love him properly, they need to stay

Charles stopped pacing, turning to face her. "That's what grandmothers do. Do you even care about our marriage anymore? About

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 you talking about?" Charles stepped closer,

Bontanna

do I care about you and your filth? My only concern

Charles threw up his hands, his voice rising. "What has she really done. that's so terrible? You're making mountains out of

line and hung 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

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

have you never protected him? Where were you when he was crying in that dark room? Where were

pampered!" Charles stepped even closer, his breath hot on her face. "Has anything really

went still, her voice dropping to a whisper. "The biggest crime I have ever committed was choosing a father like you for

hand shot up, ready to strike. Emma didn't

in the headlines

trembled in the air between them, the

challenged. "Show me exactly who you are. Show Henry exactly who

rage. "This isn't over, Emma. You will learn your place very soon. Both you and Henry will

she stepped outside, and only

What's wrong?" Her sister's voice was warm with concern. "You just

bench. "I had to stand up to the again.

Don't

waiting when I got home. He and his mother...