Thea had no idea what was wrong with her biological father. As far as she could tell, her answer should have been exactly what he wanted to hear. After all, there were only so many combinations to those questions, and she'd rehearsed them in her head for over a month. It had to be perfect.
So why did he suddenly turn around and run off? Maybe he was just trying to look mysterious?
Sighing, she called home to have someone pick her up — and to haul away the two bodyguards who were still lying unconscious on the ground. I'll need to replace them, she thought. With skills that bad, if I don't learn how to fight soon, I really might not live long enough to enjoy it.
Thea had no idea that her words had dealt her father over a thousand points of emotional damage.
Far away, Malcolm tore off his mask, gasping for air. Memories flooded him — his youthful pride, his late wife's final phone calls, the unanswered pleas he'd ignored. Hot tears spilled down his cheeks. Once, he'd believed money could buy him everything. If he'd had Thea's awareness back then, maybe his wife would still be alive.
He stumbled back to the old Merlyn mansion, locked himself in his room, and sat through the night clutching his wife's photo album. When morning came, he asked the butler if Tommy had come home. Hearing that he hadn't, Malcolm just waved it off. Let him be for now.
From his bedroom safe, he took out a small box and tucked it inside his coat. "To Queen Consolidated," he told the driver.
Once there, he didn't bother asking for directions. A few turns later, he found Thea — after all, he'd been watching her office through hidden cameras for weeks.
"Hey, Thea," he greeted softly.
Behind the desk, Thea was busy drafting a report. She didn't look up, thinking it was another staffer, until the familiar voice made her pause. Lifting her head, she saw the middle-aged man standing there, eyes burning with emotion.
"You… what are you doing here?" she asked.
She had just seen him the night before, but as far as he knew, this should be their first real meeting since her parentage had been exposed.
"Can you come out for a coffee with me?" Malcolm said quietly. "I want to talk — properly."
Thea hesitated, then nodded. She wanted to talk, too — maybe even convince him to let go of his hatred for the Glades. If she could, perhaps things wouldn't spiral into a future where her father and Oliver ended up as enemies.
They left the building and found a quiet café nearby. Two cups of coffee later, Malcolm finally spoke.
"You know," he said, staring into her eyes, "you remind me so much of my wife — the same intelligence, the same youth, the same energy. Honestly, sometimes I wonder if you were her daughter, and Tommy was Moira's. You're just that much like her."
Thea nearly rolled her eyes. Sure, Dad. Keep telling yourself that. She figured last night's talk had stirred up memories of his wife, and he was projecting — blending her face with that of his lost love. Still, it worked in her favor.
That's not what you said in the show, she thought. You called me a "born warrior" there. And now this? Who even talks like that to their daughter? No wonder you stayed single all these years.
Aloud, she said gently, "Can you tell me about her? I've only seen her photos… the ones from Tommy."
Malcolm froze for a second — he hadn't talked about his wife since the day she died. But now, with someone genuinely willing to listen, the words poured out. He spoke of the day they met, the way she smiled, the small things she loved.
"When she was killed," his voice broke, "she was volunteering at a free clinic in the Glades. A homeless man tried to rob her — for a few hundred dollars! She called me three times as she lay bleeding, but I didn't answer. I was angry that day… I was supposed to pick her up! God, I hate myself for it!"
He slammed his fist against the table, the coffee cups rattling.
Thea felt a dull ache in her chest. Tommy's mother really was a good person, she thought. Just… unlucky. If she'd had power, maybe it wouldn't have happened. The thought only reinforced Thea's conviction — that she had chosen the right path. A woman needed her own strength to survive in this cruel world.
She reached out and gently patted his hand. "She was kind," she said softly. "I'm sure she forgave you, Dad…"
The last word came out barely above a whisper — half out of shyness, half out of awkwardness.
Malcolm froze. The word Dad hit him like a thunderclap. Joy flashed across his face but quickly faded into something gentler. He stroked Thea's hair.
"Child," he said, "I know you pity me. It's all right. Just hearing you call me that makes me happy. You don't have to acknowledge me as your father. You'll always be Thea Queen — you have your own family, your own friends, your own life. I'll just protect you from the shadows. I won't let anyone harm you."
That suited Thea perfectly. If she changed her surname to Merlyn, she'd lose her claim to Queen Consolidated — and honestly, the last thing she wanted was to compete with Tommy over inheritance. This arrangement is ideal, she thought. One family, one company each.
Malcolm stood, then placed a small box in her hands. "This belonged to my wife," he said softly. "Now it's yours. I hope its light will guide our path forward."
He left the café before she could respond.
Opening the box, Thea found a beautifully crafted necklace — a silver chain with a sky-blue gem that shimmered softly like rippling water. Inside the clasp was a short inscription — but the language was ancient, completely unfamiliar.
She sighed. So much for convincing him to give up his vendetta. He'd clearly avoided the topic on purpose. That hatred for the Glades… it was his deepest scar.
Maybe I should ask Batman for advice? she thought. His story's kind of similar — parents murdered, years of vengeance, and eventually finding peace.
Then she shook her head. No. The guy's way too smart — and way too paranoid. He probably has a contingency plan to take down his friends. I've got enough secrets already.
I'll just have to do this slowly… maybe family can reach him in ways logic can't.
Looking down at the necklace again, Thea smiled faintly. In her eyes, Malcolm Merlyn wasn't a villain — not tonight.
He was just a broken man, chasing vengeance for the woman he loved.