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 is my everything. If your mother ever lays a hand on him again, even just a pinch, I will

hand through his hair. "Emma, she's

learn to get along with my family," he continued,

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

do. Do you even care about

Emma's 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.

(8) Bontanna

and your filth? My only concern

rising. "What has she really

hung him on his bunk! She locked our son in a dark room

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 son

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

even closer, his breath hot on her face. "Has anything really happened to him? This

biggest crime I have ever committed was choosing a father

ready to strike. Emma didn't flinch; her eyes

our family name in the headlines for domestic abuse? What would your precious mother say

in the air between

it," Emma challenged. "Show me exactly who you are. Show

isn't over, Emma. You will learn

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

was warm with concern.

just..." Emma's voice cracked as she sank onto a nearby bench. "I had to stand up to the

me everything. Don't

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