Face to Her

Thea’s POV

Sweets always made things better. I sat in the corner of the restaurant, staring at the fancy chocolate cake in front of me while taking occasional sips of juice. Sebastian and Leo had gone on a father-son camping trip, giving me some much-needed alone time.

I savored the sweetness melting on my tongue, letting my mind drift back to the prison visit. I’d expected Kane to disown the baby or at least avoid responsibilities. But instead, he’d not only accepted it but also fucking confessed his love for me.

He needed to understand it was too late. I would never consider being with him again. He tried to kill me, for Goddess’ sake! What kind of woman would I be if I went back to him after that?

I’d made my decision about this child—I wouldn’t deny Kane his rights as a father, but I didn’t want to see him again. Maybe Iris could take the baby to visit him. That was the most I could offer.

I was so fucking tired. I’d sought love from two men, endured seven years of Sebastian’s coldness and contempt, then fell for Kane’s deception, and all I got was heartbreak and pain.

It was time to stop looking for love because, from where I stood, love didn’t want me. Never had. I was learning to accept that now. At least I knew where to focus my attention—on myself and my children.

I cut off another piece of cake, enjoying this brief moment of peace when a sharp voice pierced through my bubble.

“Well, look who it is. Our former Luna stuffing her face. Aren’t you afraid you’ll get fatter? Though I suppose you’re already fat enough.”

I looked up to see Vanessa standing there with that bitchy smile plastered on her face. She was one of Sebastian’s top financial advisors at Ashworth Pack and had been one of the cruelest people to me. I never understood where her hostility came from. Sure, I’d been Sebastian’s Luna, a position she probably wanted, but anyone with half a brain could see how much Sebastian despised me.

Behind her stood several other wolves from Ashworth Pack, all watching with smug expressions.

“What, no male to eat with?” she continued with her taunts.

I put down my fork and took a sip of water, completely ignoring her existence.

“I’m talking to you, you wolfless bitch!” Her voice rose several decibels.

I finally looked up at her, my face calm. “I heard you. I just don’t make it a habit to respond to trash.”

Her face turned a nasty shade of purple. “How dare you talk to me like that? You think you’re something special now that you’ve got money? Your wings got hard?”

“Whether my wings are hard doesn’t matter,” I replied coldly. “What matters is I don’t need to please anyone anymore. You people insulted me for years thinking I’d always take it. That was pretty fucking naive of you.”

Her eyes narrowed dangerously. “Who do you think you are? One call and Sebastian will put you back in your place. Did you forget whose side he always took?”

In the past, this threat would have made me cower. Now? I almost laughed.

“Go ahead,” I challenged, pointing at her bag. “Your phone’s right there. Call him right now. I’d love to see what he can do to a woman who’s no longer his Luna.”

My response stunned her, and she froze, unsure what to do next.

“You fucking bitch!” she suddenly exploded, lunging toward me.

Just then, an authoritative female voice cut through the tension: “Stop! What do you think you’re doing in my restaurant?”

Sophia, one of Moon Bay’s most successful restaurant chain owners, stood at our table. She looked powerful in her dark dress, her presence commanding respect. I’d invested in her company before, and while we were only business associates, I felt relieved to see her.

“This woman is causing trouble in your restaurant. I suggest you throw her out,” Vanessa immediately switched personas. “We just wanted to say hi, and she lashed out at us.”

I watched her performance with cold eyes, thinking how shameless she was.

Sophia’s gaze moved between Vanessa and me before she broke into a dangerous smile. “Is that so? Then you must have forgotten that my restaurant has security cameras… everywhere.”

She pulled out a tablet showing our interaction. Vanessa’s face turned pale instantly.

‘I—I didn’t mean it,” she stammered. “It was just a joke…”

“A joke?” Sophia’s voice was ice-cold. “You call insulting my friend in my restaurant a joke?”

I looked at Sophia in surprise. Friend? Our relationship had always remained professional; I never thought she’d defend me this way.

“Please leave with your companions immediately,” Sophia pointed to the door, her voice brooking no argument. “From today on, all of you are banned from any of my restaurants and clubs.”

“What?! You can’t do that! This is one of the best places in Moon Bay!” Vanessa shrieked.

“Exactly,” Sophia smirked. “Now, you have two choices—walk out with dignity or be dragged out by my security. Which will it be?”

Vanessa trembled with rage but knew she had no choice. “This isn’t over!” she hissed before storming out with her followers.

“Thanks, Sophia,” I exhaled. “They’re disgusting.”

“No problem,” she said lightly. “I’ve been wanting to do that for a while. Some people think they’re better than others and can bully whoever they want. It’s time they learned a lesson.”

I was about to respond when a voice behind me made me freeze.

“Thea? Is that really you?”

I slowly turned to see two people I least wanted to encounter—Sebastian’s mother Elizabeth and… Margaret. The woman I once called mother, standing a few steps away, tears glistening in her eyes.