Chapter 80: Chapter 79
Bruce's concerns were spot on. The Joker had meticulously orchestrated every detail, not just to reveal Batman's and Oracle's identities. It couldn't be that simple.
Even Kara understood this all too well.
But Kara reminded Bruce: "We're being held hostage."
"How?" Bruce and Jennifer turned to her with intense curiosity.
Kara took a sip of her milk and clarified, "Bruce, even if we know the Joker's real goal isn't just this, we can't afford to be careless. It's simple—our identities must never be revealed. Honestly, it would be easy for the Joker to kill us if he wanted. He wouldn't even have to make a move."
She paused, then continued, "All he needs to do is expose who we are, and a multitude of people would want us dead."
"You might argue that we can defend ourselves, that we're not afraid of the criminals we've crossed," Kara explained. "But what happens when the police department you've helped turns against you? Imagine Commissioner Gordon arrives with a warrant, or Harvey and Rachel issue subpoenas. What if Jennifer is forced to put you on trial?"
"And that's not even the worst of it," she went on. "Imagine all of Gotham wanting you behind bars—yes, even me. The Joker's greatest weapon is fear. He doesn't have to kill us; he only needs to break our spirit. And that's how he wins."
"We've always existed outside the law. As you've said, Bruce, we aren't bound by it. The only thing restraining us is our sense of morality."
"So, in a way, we're all sinners, Bruce. Even if we do good, we're still sinners," Kara's words left Bruce and Jennifer deep in thought.
She concluded, "That's why we have to play along with that madman, at least for now. Do you really think I'd have come back empty-handed? No, no, no. I wanted to kill him this morning. But when he threatened Jennifer, I couldn't take the risk."
Turning to Bruce, she asked, "So, are you going to stop me from killing him again?"
"Absolutely," Bruce answered, meeting Kara's gaze without hesitation. "If we sink to his level, if we disregard human life as he does, then we're no better than him."
"Fine, fine," Kara waved her hand in mock exasperation. "Save the noble speeches. I'm tired of hearing them. I'll just kill him when you're not looking."
Bruce was about to respond, but Kara, looking at Jennifer's belly, added with a smirk, "Well, I may not be able to sway your dad, but I won't let you turn out like him. I'll train you to be a little executioner."
Jennifer covered her stomach defensively, shooting her a look. "Executioner" wasn't exactly a comforting term.
Bruce reminded her sternly, "That's my child. He'll inherit the Wayne legacy and the Wayne Enterprises. Don't even think about it."
Jennifer laughed, amused at the two of them. "I haven't even decided if I'm keeping the baby. You're both getting way ahead of yourselves."
Yet, Bruce's face darkened. He recognized the problem. Like the Joker exploiting his weaknesses to deduce his identity, he couldn't deny the flaw he couldn't let go of.
He'd saved Rachel, but his attachment to her ran deeper, painfully evident in his eyes, and Jennifer knew it. For anyone, that realization was an unbearable weight—to know the one you love harbors feelings for another.
This pregnancy was unplanned, but the biggest surprise had been discovering Bruce's true identity as Batman, leaving Jennifer conflicted and exhausted.
"Just leave me alone for a while; I need some space," Jennifer said, excusing herself from both Bruce and Kara. She left the restaurant quickly, ignoring Kara's parting joke, "Hey, who's 'Space'?"
With Alfred looking after Jennifer, Kara and Bruce were alone. Kara grabbed a piece of bread untouched by anyone at the table and offered it to Bruce.
Bruce took it without protest, chewing in silence.
Kara grabbed her own unfinished meal, washing it down with the milk Jennifer had barely touched.
Bruce raised an eyebrow.
"Oh, she's not with you right now," Kara said with a playful glare. "Besides, we've been close friends for years, so no big deal."
She added, "I want to know where you stand, Bruce. If all you care about is that baby, then please, don't keep stringing Jennifer along."
Kara's expression grew serious as she said, "She finally moved on, Bruce. I don't want her to get hurt all over again."
"And let's not pretend you didn't benefit from that 'relationship' as well."
Bruce flinched at Kara's accusation. Before he could respond, she asked, "What's going on with you and Rachel, Bruce? Isn't she with Harvey? Or did she promise you something?"
Bruce sighed, admitting, "Yes. Rachel told me that if I ever stopped being Batman, she'd be with me."
Kara slapped the table, visibly disgusted. She grabbed what was left on her plate and tossed it at Bruce. Unsatisfied, she poured the rest of Jennifer's milk on him as well.
Bruce didn't move, accepting her fury in silence.
"You're disgusting," Kara stood up, pointing at Bruce. "You're stringing along one woman while thinking about another. That makes you no different from the Joker. You're just as twisted."
Kara wasn't just angry because she was Jennifer's friend. Rachel was Harvey's girlfriend, and in her eyes, Bruce's behavior was beyond immoral.
Her voice dripped with contempt, "So, was that charity event for Harvey just a way to fund his future governance, so he could handle Gotham for you? All so you could hang up your cape and finally be with your precious Rachel? I really feel like slapping you right now."
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