Chapter 99 (edited)

Kara sat down and didn't leave, leaving Alfred no choice but to have the food delivered to this side of the house. 

"I entertained her on the other side, Master Wayne. She came here on her own," Alfred immediately shrugged off any responsibility as soon as he walked in. This was ironic, considering he was the one who inadvertently let slip to Kara that Bruce had dated Jennifer before. 

Kara, however, didn't expose him, choosing instead to focus on Jennifer. 

Jennifer, visibly uncomfortable, explained, "It was Harvey and Rachel who asked Bruce...Mr. Wayne and me to be their witnesses." 

Jennifer's explanation was defensive, and her slight hesitation in addressing Bruce was telling. Kara rolled her eyes dramatically, then turned to Bruce and said, "I don't want your fancy car. 

"Sure, it's cool to drive around in, but I'd be worried it might get scratched in a parking lot. Maintenance costs would pile up too. Most importantly, if I lost it, I don't think I'd be able to pay you back. So forget it."

Bruce opened his mouth to reply but stopped himself. The memory of Kara gleefully wrecking the Batmobile—a machine worth well over a billion dollars—was still fresh in his mind. He figured it was better to let the subject drop.

The issue with the car wasn't worth Kara's attention anyway. She had plans to return home and pay off her remaining car loan before buying another vehicle. She could have easily cleared her debt ages ago if she had wanted to. After all, Kara was capable of transmuting elements into gold, a skill she had once demonstrated to Jennifer. 

This ability was not simple alchemy. It involved analyzing and reconstructing the elemental makeup of objects—a process Kara had mastered with precision. If she wanted, she could flood the global economy with gold and trigger a catastrophic inflation crisis. But Kara didn't find such a life of excess appealing. She had no desire to live without purpose.

The atmosphere at the table became increasingly awkward. Kara, unaffected, continued eating with gusto, while Jennifer avoided Kara's gaze, and Bruce wore an uncharacteristic grimace, unsure of how to proceed.

Bruce, despite his usual mastery of disguising himself as a carefree playboy, was ill at ease in front of the two women who knew the real him. Alfred, sensing trouble, chose to steer clear of the tense interaction. Still, he occasionally showed concern for Jennifer, who was carrying Bruce's child.

Kara already knew the gender of the baby—a boy. She hoped the child wouldn't inherit his father's complicated tendencies. 

The meal dragged on in silence, with Jennifer and Bruce having long since finished eating. They stayed only because they had been discussing something important before Kara had interrupted. Kara, however, felt no remorse, helping herself to a bottle of wine before finally leaving. After all, Bruce was footing the bill. 

When it came time to part ways, Bruce initially offered to drive them back but ultimately sent them home with Alfred, choosing to return to Wayne Manor alone. It seemed Kara's sharp and knowing gaze had left him rattled.

Once back at Jennifer's place, Kara opened the expensive bottle of red wine she had taken and poured herself a glass. She leaned back in her chair, scrutinizing Jennifer, who was trying to change into more comfortable clothes. 

"Look into my eyes," Kara demanded, her voice dropping into a deep, menacing tone reminiscent of a villainous oracle. 

Jennifer, unfazed, muttered, "Wait until I'm done changing."

Kara scowled. "Didn't you say you'd moved on?"

Jennifer didn't turn around. "I have. But he asked me out, and I mean, I've moved on, but I never said I'd ignore him forever."

Kara sneered, mouthing a silent insult.

"Don't insult me," Jennifer shot back. Though she hadn't been looking, she knew Kara's reaction all too well. Turning slightly, she added, "What do you expect me to do? I let go of Bruce Wayne. I told myself I was only interested in Batman. And then you turn around and tell me they're the same person! What was I supposed to do?"

Jennifer finally faced Kara, her expression a mix of frustration and resignation. "I thought about ending the pregnancy before, but now... I've changed my mind. I might've let go of Bruce Wayne, but I've picked up another Bruce—his child. What can I do? I'll never truly be rid of him now."

Kara sighed, understanding Jennifer's predicament. This situation was a mess. Jennifer had liked Bruce since their college days, carrying her feelings for over a decade. Even when she thought she had moved on, circumstances kept pulling her back to him. And now, with a baby on the way, she couldn't see a way out.

Jennifer slumped onto the floor, resting her head on Kara's lap. She looked up pitifully, wrapping her arms around Kara's waist. "Rachel accepted Harvey's proposal. She and Bruce had a long conversation and cleared the air between them."

"And then?" Kara asked sharply.

Jennifer tightened her grip, her voice softening. "He said he'd start over with me, that he wants to pursue me seriously this time. Kara... I've liked him since I was a student. Ten years, Kara."

Kara shook her head in exasperation. "So you're just going to forgive him? After everything? Have some self-respect!"

Jennifer, however, couldn't help herself. Bruce had been her first love, and despite the twists and turns, she was still tied to him. Kara, frustrated but understanding, could only hope her friend knew what she was doing.