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."

let's start this," Emma cut in, her voice 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

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

the recorder before facing Charles again. You need to learn to get along

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

face her. "That's what grandmothers do. Do you even care about our marriage anymore? About the family

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

(8) Bontanna the

your filth? My only concern is Henry. He's

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

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 forgotten

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

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

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

have ever committed was choosing a father like you for my

hand shot up, ready to strike. 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 headlines for domestic abuse? What would your precious

air between them, the

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

his arm, his face dark with rage. "This isn't over, Emma. You will learn your place very

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

sister's voice was warm with concern. "You

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

Don't leave anything

"Charles was waiting when I got home. He and his mother... they still don't see anything wrong