The Billionaire's Mistake

MISTAKE 92

hapter 92: Anya is Taken

Anya sat with her friend Emma, who looked scared and sad. They were talking about Emma's young son, Henry, and the problems in Emma's home. Anya knew she had to help her friend make some tough choices.

"Then you prefer him to grow up in a home where his father hits his mother?" Anya asked gently, watching Emma's face carefully. She hated seeing her friend hurt like this.. Emma twisted her hands in her lap. "So I should leave? Just because of that?"

"Isn't that enough?" Anya leaned forward, her voice firm but kind. "You are his mother, so I'll ask you now. Look inside your heart-is that home really the safest place for Henry to grow up, or is it just the place you think is family because you're used to it? Is he truly safe in that house?" Anya paused, then added, "He's almost three years old but can't talk yet. Do you really want me to believe nothing bad is happening in that house?"

Anya reached out and touched Emma's hand. "Emma, I just want what's best for you and Henry. Richard is a lawyer who has helped other people like you, and he can help us figure out the legal stuff. But you need to be strong. You are Henry's mother. You need to protect him, even if it means burning that whole life down. What are you so afraid of? How much longer can Henry wait?"

Emma's hands started shaking at Anya's words. Her eyes filled with tears, and her face showed how much pain she was in. Biting her lip to keep from crying, she finally whispered, "She would tie him up in his room." As soon as she said the words, Emma seemed to freeze, like she couldn't believe she'd actually said them out loud.

"Who did it?" Anya's voice cracked with anger.

"She would lock him in a dark room for hours while I was away," Emma continued, her voice trembling.

"WHO did this?!" Their friend Olivia demanded.

"My mother-in-law," Emma finally admitted.

Richard, the lawyer who had been quietly listening, spoke up. His voice was cold and serious." Then take everything from them."

Emma looked at him helplessly. "I have a preschool. If I leave the marriage, I get nothing, and I have to leave Henry behind."

hap

home. Even when you're there, the staff only listens to your mother-in-law and husband. If you can't stop her from hurting your child, what

up straighter, hope showing in her eyes for the first time. "Is there

sue your mother-in-law for hurting Henry and your husband for hurting you. Even if it doesn't go to court, we can shake up their business until they agree to settle with you. I have a friend who's really good at cases like this. Do you want

was still young-there was

will try," she decided,

"If there are security cameras, get the footage. If there

options, making sure both you and Henry are

3/6

at her bookstore. It was a beautiful morning-the sun was shining, and there was a cool breeze that made the leaves dance. She had no idea that this normal day was about to turn into something terrible. Anya said goodbye to Daniel and went to work wearing

had come to so much. She could see why Emma built the bookstore. It was a good escape. The morning sun made

at first. Customers browsed the shelves, coffee brewed in the little café corner, and people sat quietly reading.

too, but still no answer. She wished she had her brother-in-law's number saved. She tried to think quickly about what to do. Fear made her whole body feel cold. She could barely breathe as she thought about what the caller had said. She looked at her friend Angela, who worked at the store with her. Angela could tell something was very wrong

hands shaking as she turned the locks. The alley behind the store, which she passed every day without thinking twice, now seemed dark and scary. When Anya reached the spot the caller told her to go to, she heard footsteps behind her. A person wearing a mask stepped out of the shadows. Anya's heart pounded even harder. "Where is my nephew?" she demanded. She had already sent a quick emergency message

nephew?" the masked person asked with a

from behind and put their hand over her mouth. She tried to fight back, but

her body. Why did this have to happen on a day when her husband wasn't around?

Anya woke up, she was in the car. The spacé felt tiny and suffocating, and there was a

rope.

as everything came into focus. The car was dim inside, but she could see enough to know the horrible truth-she had been kidnapped, taken

humming sound as they

570 Aryans

breaths in the small space. She felt completely

could see them clearly. When Anya