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."

my son. The same way your mother acts like you're her whole world? He

his hair. "Emma, she's his grandmother. What harm could she

on the recorder before facing Charles again. You need to learn to get along with my family," he continued, standing up to pace the

Emma's voice was quiet but firm. "I won't let anyone mistreat our son. If they can't love him properly, they need to

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

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

(8) Bontanna the

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

hands, his voice rising. "What has she really done. that's

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 forgotten that?" "You're

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!"

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

a boy; he can't be pampered!" Charles stepped even closer, his breath hot

dropping to a whisper. "The biggest crime I have ever committed was choosing a father like you for my son.

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

she said calmly, "and I'll call the police. How would you like our family name in the headlines for domestic abuse? What would your precious mother say about

hand trembled in the air between them,

"Show me exactly who you are. Show Henry exactly

Emma.

reached the front door. The cool evening air hit her face as she stepped outside, and only then did she allow her hands to shake as she pulled out her

warm with concern. "You just left the wedding,

cracked as she sank onto a nearby bench. "I

Don't leave anything

waiting when I got home. He and his mother... they still don't see anything wrong with how they treat Henry. They