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."

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

through his hair. "Emma, she's his grandmother. What

recorder before facing Charles again. You need to learn to get along with my family," he continued, standing up to pace the room. This constant tension isn't good for anyone,

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

"That's what grandmothers do. Do you

bitter smile crossed Emma's face. "This has been a business arrangement from the start, and you know it. Someone's getting something out of it,

Bontanna the

I care about you and your filth? My only concern

your son!" Charles threw up his hands, his voice rising. "What

snapped. "She tied him with fishing 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

care what you do to me in this house," Emma's voice 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

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

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

ever committed was choosing a father like you for

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

like our family name in the headlines

between them, the tension thick enough

it," Emma 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

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 to shake as she pulled out her phone

wrong?" Her sister's voice was warm with concern. "You just left the wedding, a few hours

as she sank onto a nearby bench. "I had to stand up to the again. It's getting worse,

me everything. Don't

and his mother... they still don't see

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