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."

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

through his hair. "Emma, she's

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

our son. If they can't love him properly,

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

it. Someone's getting something out of it, though it certainly

Bontanna the

filth? My only concern is Henry. He's the only pure thing.

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

dark room and wouldn't

don't 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

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

his breath hot on her face. "Has anything really happened to him?

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

strike. Emma didn't

name in the

between them, the tension thick enough

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

"This isn't over, Emma. You will learn your place very soon. Both you and Henry

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 then did she allow her hands to shake as she pulled out her phone and dialed.

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

a nearby bench. "I had

Don't leave

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