Clark's House – Breakfast
The aroma of fresh coffee and toast spread through the air. The morning sun filtered through the kitchen window, illuminating the table where everyone was gathered. Clark poured coffee into his mug while Tina bit into a buttered slice of bread. Diana and Kyla sat side by side, each with a cup in hand, but the atmosphere was weighed down by an unspoken tension.
Kyla kept her gaze down, absentmindedly stirring her coffee with a spoon. Her silence contrasted with Tina's vibrant energy as she devoured her breakfast without a care.
"So, Kyla, after we pick up your stuff, what else do you want to do?"
"I don't know… I just need to grab some clothes and some documents."
Diana leaned forward slightly, her expression calm.
"If you need time alone in the house, I can wait outside."
Kyla tightened her grip on the cup handle, her stomach twisting. Why does she have to be so kind? Why can't she be cold, distant, jealous? It would be easier…
"Thank you, Diana. But I'd rather not be alone there."
Clark glanced at Kyla, picking up on the weight of her words.
"If you need anything, just call me."
She nodded, feeling her face heat up. The way he looked at her made her restless. This is wrong. He's not mine. He never will be.
Tina crunched on her toast enthusiastically, breaking the tension.
"Can we stop for some food after? You know I need fuel to function."
Diana let out a small smile.
"Of course, Tina. We wouldn't want you fainting on the way."
Kyla smiled faintly but still felt a heavy weight on her chest. She glanced at Diana. How could I want the man of someone like her?
Clark finished his coffee and stood up, picking up Kyla's plate before she could react.
"I'll wash it."
"I can do it."
"Not today."
Kyla swallowed hard. He always did this. Always so kind, so thoughtful. And that's exactly what destroys me.
Tina stretched in her chair, yawning.
"Well, while you guys go on this rescue mission for Kyla's clothes, I'll see if there's anything interesting happening in town. Maybe some gossip from the Talon."
Diana arched an eyebrow.
"Talon gossip?"
"You'd be surprised at what you can find out just by listening between sips of cappuccino."
Clark shook his head with a slight smile.
"Don't get yourself into trouble, Tina."
"Me? Never!"
Diana grabbed her jacket and stood up.
"Let's go, Kyla. Better get this over with."
Kyla took a deep breath and nodded, feeling her heart tighten. I need to get over this. I need to let this feeling die now before it's too late.
Clark watched them leave, the door closing softly behind them. Tina propped her chin on her hands, her eyes gleaming with amusement.
"You noticed, right?"
Clark turned his gaze to her.
"Noticed what?"
Tina smirked.
"That Kyla's fighting something. And I have a pretty good idea of what it is."
Clark remained silent, but the answer was in his eyes.
Tina picked up her cup and took a sip of coffee, satisfied.
Clark looked away, lifting his cup to his lips before responding.
"Kyla suffered a great loss yesterday. You shouldn't talk about her like that."
Tina blinked, the amusement fading from her face. She set the cup down, placing it gently on the table.
"I didn't mean any disrespect, Clark. I just… thought I could joke a little."
Clark remained impassive, pulling his phone from his pocket. He turned on the screen and frowned when he saw it was off. With everything going on, I completely forgot.
He pressed the button, waiting for the device to restart.
Tina watched in silence, stirring her coffee with a spoon.
VRRR. VRRR.
The screen lit up, displaying dozens of missed calls. The name Lana repeated multiple times.
Clark scrolled through the list, his eyes fixed on the notifications.
Tina leaned slightly, curious.
"Problems?"
Clark ignored the question, bringing the phone to his ear.
TU… TU… TU…
The call went straight to voicemail.
He took a deep breath, feeling a slight unease grow in his chest.
Lana might be mad at me for not showing up. I'll talk to her in person later.
Tina raised her hands in surrender.
"Okay, okay, I'll give you time to process. But let me know when you want to talk about something that doesn't involve tragedies and repressed feelings."
Clark pocketed his phone, picking up the dirty plate from the table without responding.
Tina sighed, resting her chin on her hand.
"You really know how to ignore drama."
The sound of running water filled the silence as Clark washed the dishes, focusing on the water running between his fingers.
But deep down, he knew he needed to find Lana.
---
✈️ Metropolis Airport – Boarding Gate
The muffled sound of announcements echoed through the terminal. Lana took a deep breath, gripping her phone tightly before unlocking the screen.
The blue light reflected on her tired face. Chloe's name flashed on the screen.
I should let her know.
Her fingers hovered over the keyboard.
"Chloe, I'm going to Paris. I need some time for myself. I don't know when I'll be back. Just wanted someone to know."
She hesitated before hitting send.
VRUUUM.
The message disappeared.
Lana stared at the screen, waiting… Nothing. No immediate response.
Of course. Chloe must be busy. Everyone always is.
She sighed, sliding her phone back into her purse. The boarding panel in front of her flashed red.
✈ Flight 247 – Metropolis to Paris – Immediate Boarding
Adjusting the strap of her bag over her shoulder, she stepped into the line.
Her steps were automatic, as if her body knew the way, but her mind was elsewhere.
Clark… You didn't even care, did you?
Her chest tightened. The memory of the Talon, the vibrating phone left unanswered, the stupid hope that refused to die inside her.
I waited. Until the last second. But you never came.
Her heart pounded.
She handed over her passport, forcing a smile at the attendant.
"Have a good trip, Miss Lang."
She gave a small nod but didn't reply. She just kept walking.
The boarding tunnel door closed behind her.
Each step took her further from Smallville, but the pain remained lodged in her chest.
Clark was an illusion.
And Lana Lang had finally decided to stop chasing it.
---
Luthor Mansion – Helipad
The cutting wind from the helicopter lifted dust and dry leaves around the platform. Lex watched as Lionel adjusted his long coat before stepping aboard.
"So that's it, Dad? You finally got tired of Smallville?"
Lionel cast a calculated glance at him, his eyes gleaming under the artificial light.
"I entrusted the city to you, Lex. Don't mess it up."
Lex remained composed, his hands in his coat pockets.
He's really leaving… But for how long?
The sound of the rotor intensified. Lionel climbed the steps, pausing for a moment before entering.
"We'll see each other in Metropolis, son. When you're ready for the next step."
Lex smirked slightly, without humor.
"If I go to Metropolis, Dad… it'll be on my own terms."
Lionel chuckled lightly before disappearing inside the helicopter.
The aircraft lifted off, vanishing into the night sky.
Lex stood still, watching the lights fade into the horizon.
Free. But for how long?
The cold wind hit his face. He didn't move.
Lionel might have left, but his shadow still loomed over Smallville.
And Lex knew that better than anyone.
___
Dante's Garage
The harsh sunlight streamed through the gaps in the workshop, illuminating dust particles dancing in the air. The scent of grease and oil filled the space, blending with the distant roar of engines on the street.
Dante sat in a metal chair, his feet propped up on the table, patiently counting a stack of money. The bills slid between his fingers, accumulating into an already substantial pile beside him.
VRRR. VRRR.
The phone vibrated on the table. He picked it up leisurely, glancing at the name on the screen with a satisfied smirk.
"Ivan."
He answered and placed the phone to his ear, continuing to count the bills.
"What's up, partner?"
"Everything set for tonight?"
Dante chuckled softly, separating a bundle of twenty thousand dollars before tossing it onto the table.
"More than set. Pete agreed to lose. The idiot didn't even put up much of a fight. Almost seemed like he liked the idea."
On the other end, Ivan let out a scornful laugh.
"Of course he did. He still thinks he has control over something. Little does he know, in the end, only the money matters."
Dante pulled a cigarette from his pocket, twirling it between his fingers before placing it between his lips.
"Exactly. And that money is going straight into our pockets."
"So, no surprises, right?"
"The only surprise would be if Pete suddenly grew a conscience and tried to win. But honestly? I don't think he's got the guts for that."
Ivan was silent for a moment before exhaling in satisfaction.
"Perfect. Tonight will be easy. Bettors will put everything on him, and we'll walk away swimming in cash."
Dante lit the cigarette, exhaling a cloud of smoke as he glanced at the money spread out in front of him.
"That's all that matters. The rest? Who cares."
Ivan laughed on the other end of the line.
"You've always known how to play the game, Dante."
Dante smirked slightly, watching the smoke dissipate in the air.
"Of course. And in the end, I always win."
The call ended.
He tossed the phone onto the table, leaning back in his chair with a lazy grin.
Tonight, Smallville would have a race.
And he would walk away richer than ever.
Pete's fate?
Not his problem.
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