The Ex Factor #8

For a moment the room was completely silent. Then suddenly everyone seemed to be speaking at once.

"Theresa, you can't possibly believe-"

"Are you completely heartless?"

"Teresita, what are you saying?!"

Gwen was the only one who was silent. Theresa ignored the comments, looking pointedly at her rival while she waited for a response.

Slowly, a cold smile appeared on Gwen's lips. It didn't hide the pain in her eyes.

"I knew it." She said quietly. "I knew this was one of your plans to get me away from Ethan. I was right the first time, wasn't I? You probably had some Crane underling in Europe place the call. That's lower than you've ever sunk before, Theresa, but I'm not surprised. At all. My daughter is dead and I swear to God, if you try to defile her memory again, I'll kill you." Both she and Ethan glared coldly at Theresa.

Theresa did her best to shrug off the hurt she felt at Ethan's reaction. Of course he believed the worst of her-what else was new? Ignoring him, she kept her eyes fixed on Gwen.

"That's not true, Gwen. Just another one of your crazy delusions. I could help you, you know. You and Ethan could have all the resources at Crane Industries at your fingertips. I have a personal stake in this too, remember? For years, you have blamed me for her death. But maybe she's still alive!" Theresa crossed her arms. "That's fine, though, Gwen. Walk away. You want to know what I think?"

Gwen rolled her eyes. "No, but I'm sure that won't shut you up."

Theresa's mouth thinned into a cold line. "I don't think you want Sarah to be alive. I think that you would rather Sarah be dead so you can keep blaming me for it." She gave Gwen a smug look.

"That's it!" Gwen exploded towards Theresa like a bomb. It took Ethan, Luis, Fancy, and Jared all their strength to keep the enraged woman from beating Theresa like a drum.

"Ethan, take your wife out of here!" Pilar handed him Jane and the diaper bag. "Go now, before this gets any worse."

Ethan hustled a struggling Gwen towards the door. "Let me go, Ethan. Let me deal with her, please! She has hurt our family too many times!"

Theresa, restrained by Jared, yelled out her own insults as Ethan finally managed to push Gwen through the doorway. "OK, she's gone. Let go, alright?" She sat down on the couch, noting the disapproving stares from Luis, Fancy, and Pilar.

"That was cruel, Theresa." Pilar looked at her daughter with a mixture of frustration and disappointment.

"Why are you all looking at me like that? I had nothing to do with that phone call! Luis, you believe me, don't you?"

Luis gave his sister a long look then finally nodded. "I believe you, Theresa. But you didn't have to-you know what? Never mind. You and Gwen love your little war too much to ever give it up." He gave her an irritated look and turned towards the door.

Theresa looked pleadingly at Fancy. "Look, Fancy, all I'm saying is it warrants looking into. You guys can do that much, can't you? And if it comes to nothing, fine by me. It's just...it's too weird. If there are two things I don't believe in, it's Santa Claus and coincidences in Harmony. There's no such thing. Something is up-I feel it."

Fancy looked at Luis. "She has a point, Luis. Maybe this could use a little investigation." She gave him a hopeful look. 'And with any luck, you'll decide I'm just the partner you need to help you.' She thought to herself.

Luis groaned. "Not you too, Fancy. It's a crank call! Why do women always have to make such a big deal over everything?"

Fancy's eyes narrowed. "I guess we can discuss that little remark back at the station. Let's go." She headed towards the door, shooting Theresa a quick wink before she strode through it. Luis rolled his eyes and followed.

Pilar watched them go, and then turned to Jared. "Jared, I hate to be rude, but I really need to speak to my daughter. Maybe you can come back later?"

"But Mama..." Theresa protested, smoothing down her skirt. "Jared and I had plans. Can't it wait?"

Pilar turned to Theresa, giving her a steely look. "I've already waited too long to say what I need to."

Theresa frowned and began to stand up. "Mama, I'm not a teenager anymore and you can't tell me-"

"SIT DOWN, THERESA!"

Stunned, Theresa sank back down on the couch cushions. Her mother hadn't spoken to her in that tone since...well, too many times to count over the past few years, actually.

Jared shrugged his shoulders. "Um yeah...Tess, I'm going to go. I'll call you, OK? Maybe we can have dinner tonight instead and we'll do the picnic another time." He bent down and gave her a quick kiss.

After he left, Pilar turned to Theresa. "We need to talk, Teresita, and I don't think you're going to like what I have to say to you."