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

in your own 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

in her eyes for

do even more," Richard continued. "We can 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

was still young-there was still time to get him help and

she decided, her

cameras, get the footage. If there are financial papers or bills, I want to see all of it."

"Yes, Emma, it's possible. I'll help you explore all your options, making sure

3/6

that this normal day was about to turn into something terrible. Anya said goodbye to Daniel and went to work wearing her favorite comfortable outfit. The bookstore was her new happy place, filled with wonderful books and the smell of coffee. But

Anya walked the familiar streets to a bookstore her sister owns, enjoying the peaceful atmosphere she had come to so much. She could see why Emma built the bookstore. It was a good escape. The morning sun made long shadows on the sidewalk, but darker shadows

little café corner, and people sat quietly reading. But everything changed when Anya got a scary phone call just before closing

voice in the background. Anya's heart started racing. She tried calling her sister right away, but no one answered. She tried her sister's house phone too, but still no answer. She wished she had her brother-in-law's number saved. She tried to think

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

nephew?" the masked person

shadows. Before Anya could scream, someone grabbed her from behind and put their hand over her mouth.

shot through her body. Why did this have to happen on a day when her husband wasn't around? As she started to pass out, Anya saw a car with dark windows waiting nearby. The last

a strange smell

rope.

hit her 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 from

made a steady humming sound as they drove. Anya

Aryans

small space. She felt completely

she could see them