Prodigal Son

Chapter 32

What had Thea done?

Felicity had a good guess, in which case, she needed to get out of there. Maybe there was still time. Maybe she could take the stairs.

Maybe not.

Before she could reach the door to freedom, Moira Queen swept into the empty office wearing one of her classically tailored, dove grey, power suits. She shut the door behind her.

"Hello Felicity." Moira glanced around the space, her expression neutral, but Felicity felt judged just by her being there.

"Moira." Felicity carefully returned her phone to her bag and crossed her arms in front of her chest. It was a defensive stance and she hated being so obvious, but she wasn't a fan of being cornered either. "Please step out of the way. I'd like to leave now."

Moira continued to block the main exit.

Felicity turned on her heel. There was another way out of here somewhere. She couldn't at the moment remember where the other exit was, but surely if she just started opening doors she'd find it soon enough.

"Wait. Please."

It was the entreaty that made her stop. Felicity slowly turned back around, shaking her head.

"Why would you want a treacherous, deceitful whore anywhere near you?"

Moira winced, but approached until she was only an arms-length away.

"I owe you an apology." Moira began. She spoke with extra care, slowly and calmly, like she was tip-toeing around a wild animal. Moira on eggshells almost made Felicity laugh, but she wasn't sure it was out of amusement or nerves.

"I reacted completely out of line," Moira continued. "For a very long time, placing my trust in others...has been extremely difficult. You saved my daughter. You've been a friend to all of us. You brought my son home. When I found out you had been behind Oliver's investigation, I was shocked and hurt and lashed out not thinking beyond trying to inflict the same kind of pain I was feeling."

"Excuses are not an apology." Moira had accomplished exactly what she'd intended and that kind of hurt didn't simply vanish. Maybe Moira's words would have been enough if she'd come to her right away, but too much time had passed.

"No, you are correct," Moira agreed. "There are no excuses for my behavior or for how long it has taken me to apologize, but I deeply regret both. What I said reflected far worse on me than on you."

Felicity's eye twitched, but she managed to stifle the eye roll she felt coming on. Trust Moira Queen to make an apology into a contest between who was the more injured party. Thankfully, she didn't stop there.

"My words were vulgar and I regret the hurt and embarrassment I brought to you and to myself. Not since Robert's first infidelity..." Moira paused, pressing her lips together. "I will not offer more excuses, but I hope one day you will be able to forgive me."

It was a thorough apology, more than Felicity expected, and Moira's remorse seemed genuine. She'd hated the fracture between them and part of her simply wanted it over. Wished it could be, but... Felicity shook her head. "Why now? It's been nearly two months."

"Phase One of the Foundation's Initiative is complete."

"What does that have to do with anything?"

Moira looked around the bare rental space. "I understand Smoak Tech will shortly be opening its doors. I have a job for you. Merlyn Global's systems need to be brought into alignment with the rest of Queen Consolidated."