The Billionaire's Mistake

MISTAKE 169

Chapter 169: Emma's Dilemma

A shaky exhale slipped from his lips, and Ben sank numbly back into the sagging sofa cushions. What was he to do now? He only had this small apartment he had gotten on his birthday and nothing else.

When he finally found the strength to look within himself with unflinching honesty, he recognized a singular need burning bright through the shadowy haze of confusion and. betrayal.

He needed to cut through the lies once and for all, no matter how incendiary the truths that lay waiting on the other side may prove to be. Only then could he hope to pick up the shattered remains of his life and rediscover his sense of self-worth beyond the tangled roots of

his family tree.

Emma paced anxiously around her cozy living room, her bare feet sinking into the plush beige carpet with each step. The modestly furnished space was a sanctuary, simply decorated but filled with warmth and cherished memories captured in the family photos that adorned the walls. However, those happy memories felt like a lifetime ago, tainted by the turmoil of her failed marriage to Charles.

Her eyes kept darting towards the front door, her heart pounding in her chest as she awaited Richard's arrival. She had called him earlier in a panic, her voice trembling as she struggled to recount the harrowing experience of the nanny being unable to find her son Henry anywhere in the apartment. Just the thought of something happening to her precious boy made Emma's stomach twist into agonizing knots.

A soft click from the door made Emma jump, her nerves frayed. She watched in stunned silence as the door swung open, revealing Richard hurrying inside with an expression of deep concern etched across his features. An involuntary gasp escaped her lips as she registered his unexpected presence, her mind reeling as she tried to understand how he had accessed her

home.

was laced with worry as he rushed towards her, his eyes scanning her face intently.

as she attempted to steady her erratic breathing. "Yes, yes he's fine. I'm so sorry I alarmed you," she began, her voice barely above a whisper. "Henry was just playing one of his usual hiding games, and the poor nanny couldn't find him anywhere.

apologize," he said gently, his tone infused with understanding. "I know how terrifying that must

never to let her son experience wach torment again, a "I just felt so helpless," Emma confessed, her voice trembling

reassuring squeeze. The simple gesture was incredibly grounding, a lifeline tethering her to the present moment. "You're not alone anymore, Etta "he said, his words carrying a

chest even as trepidation squeezed her heart. "You mean a therapist? Or some kind of treatment program?" She knew Henry's emotional development had been deeply impacted by the ongoing effects of the abuse he'd endured, but the prospect of outside intervention filled her with equal parts

psychologists and counselors on staff who specialize in children like Henry; kids who have been

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resigned herself to the daunting idea of raising Henry alone, shouldering the immense burden of helping him work through his complex

voice tinged with tentative hope. The prospect of having qualified experts guiding Henry's healing journey was deeply reassuring, yet she couldn't quite quell the protective instincts that made her leery of entrusting her child's welfare to anyone

smile that instantly put Emma more at ease. "In fact, I've already started looking into

he had slipped so seamlessly into the role of father figure for Henry, his caring nature and patience a soothing balm

even find the words to

dragging his favorite tattered blanket behind him. The four-year-old bounded over to Richard with unbridled enthusiasm, his face lighting up with a sunny grin as