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."

make myself perfectly clear. Henry is my son. The same way your mother acts like you're her whole world? He is my

hand through his hair. "Emma, she's

reached for her phone, turning on the 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

was quiet but firm. "I won't let anyone mistreat our son.

"That's what grandmothers do. Do

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?" Charles

(8) Bontanna

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

Charles threw up his hands, his voice rising. "What has she really done. that's

our son in a dark room and wouldn't tell me where he was until I threatened to call

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

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

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 you for my son. Henry deserves so much

strike. Emma didn't flinch; her eyes locked on

name in the headlines for domestic abuse? What would your precious mother say about that?" Chagh

the air between them, the tension thick

exactly who you are. Show Henry exactly

arm, his face dark with rage. "This isn't over, Emma. You

evening air hit her face as she stepped outside, and only then did she allow her hands to shake as

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

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

me everything. Don't leave

his mother... they still don't see anything wrong with how they treat Henry. They think I'm the problem." "What happened