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."

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

his hair. "Emma, she's his grandmother. What harm could she possibly do? You're

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

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

pacing, turning to face her. "That's what grandmothers do. Do you even care about our

face. "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 you talking about?"

(8) Bontanna

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

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

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

my son. If any of you touch him again,

in that dark room? Where were you when he had rope

a boy; he can't be pampered!" Charles stepped even closer, his breath hot on her face. "Has anything really happened to him? This

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

Emma didn't flinch; her eyes locked on

said calmly, "and I'll call the police. How would you like our family name in the

trembled in the air between

you are. Show Henry exactly who his father.

rage. "This isn't over, Emma. You will learn your place very

as she stepped outside, and only then did she allow her hands to shake as she pulled out her phone and

Her sister's voice was warm with concern. "You

voice cracked as she sank onto a nearby bench. "I had to stand up to the again.

me everything. Don't

He and his mother... they still don't see anything wrong with how they treat Henry.