"Busy at work today?"
Seeing only Lorien inside, Gwen asked without thinking.
"Not too busy. Just one visitor this morning."
Lorien's tone was calm. "He was an interesting guest, and also a very influential one."
"Don't tell me he came just to cause trouble?"
As Gwen spoke, she set the Chinese dishes she had prepared onto his desk. Once she had finished arranging everything, she stepped back and tucked a loose strand of golden hair behind her ear.
"People with real power rarely waste their time picking fights. He genuinely came for treatment. His family passed away, and he was grieving. In a way, he's a pitiful man."
Though Lorien called Bruce Wayne pitiful, his expression didn't reflect that sentiment at all.
This made Gwen take notice, but she never pressed into Lorien's work. She let it go, mentioning it only briefly before shifting the topic to her and Wanda's recent experiences in Gotham.
"Wanda and I made a great new friend here."
When she started talking about her new friend, Gwen became almost unstoppable, eager to share. "Her name's Barbara Gordon. She's so full of energy, with this dazzling red hair. Oh—and she's the daughter of Commissioner Gordon."
Lorien listened carefully without interrupting her once.
Only when Gwen's throat was dry and she looked at him expectantly did he finally say, "From the way you describe her, Barbara must be an outstanding girl. I'm glad you and Wanda have found a good friend here."
"Can we invite Barbara over during the holidays?" Gwen asked again.
"I'd really prefer to spend the holidays with just you and Wanda, our little world of three. But if you want Barbara to visit, we can set aside some time."
"That's perfect! I'll talk to Wanda and Barbara about it. Let's do it this weekend."
To outsiders, the way Lorien, Wanda, and Gwen lived together might have seemed strange. But in Gotham, their situation didn't look unusual at all.
There were plenty of people here far stranger than them.
From feeling out of place at first, Gwen and Wanda had slowly realized that Gotham suited them more than they expected.
At least here, using their powers didn't feel out of line.
It would be even better if that stalker weren't tailing her.
After leaving the clinic, Gwen picked up the cleaned lunchbox and headed home. On the way, she realized she was being followed.
The person seemed very familiar with her, so at first she hadn't noticed.
It wasn't until she turned onto a deserted side street that she sensed something was wrong.
Gwen didn't give anything away.
She waited until the stalker was close—close enough that she could strike easily—then she made her move.
Clutching the lunchbox firmly, she flipped into the air and lunged straight toward the hiding spot.
Almost immediately, a short-haired girl's face was revealed.
"Faora?"
The moment Gwen saw her, her expression darkened.
"Why are you sneaking around? What do you want? Revenge?"
Revenge?
How could she even think of that?
Faora opened her mouth, realizing Gwen misunderstood. Pressing her lips together, she said earnestly, "I didn't mean any harm. I just wanted to see how you're doing."
But most of all, she wanted to see how Lorien was doing.
Ever since learning Lorien had followed Clark Kent from the small town to Gotham, Faora had been worried.
Even though she ultimately chose her own people over him, her concern for him hadn't lessened.
"Since you don't live with us anymore, our lives have nothing to do with you. We're not on the same path."
Gwen lowered her hand and straightened up.
Didn't she understand what Faora really meant? Of course she did. She just didn't care to engage.
Wanting everything? What did she take Lorien for? Ridiculous.
Gwen gave a cold laugh, then turned away without another glance.
"Wait! Don't go yet. I have something important to say."
Seeing Gwen about to leave, Faora's voice grew urgent.
"General Zod has arrived near Earth with his army. He's negotiating with world leaders right now." Seeing Gwen still ignoring her, Faora rushed forward and blurted everything out. "I know you treat Clark Kent differently, but he doesn't deserve it. He's a ticking time bomb. If you stay with him, disaster will follow. Tell Lorien what I said today. I believe he'll make the right decision."
Gwen almost laughed out loud.
"Who would just hand over their comrade like that?"
Not only would she never agree—Lorien would refuse even more firmly.
And with his strength, there was no need for such nonsense.
"Faora, it's better if you keep some distance from us. Please don't come around so often."
Because Faora had lived with them for years and never actually betrayed them, Gwen's words weren't as harsh as they could have been.
But after her final choice, Gwen's tone was undeniably cold.
Faora wanted to defend herself, but when she opened her mouth, nothing came out. It had been her choice. She couldn't blame anyone else.
So why did regret burn so deeply in her heart?
Gwen didn't look back. She left with only that one warning.
When she got home, she told Wanda about it.
Wanda let out a cold laugh. "Don't worry about her. She's not really part of our lives anymore."