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Chapter 24: The Truth Will Out.

The honeymoon had lasted for three weeks; papers had gone through Bruce's office allowing Catherine to control 25% of the stock in his company, as part of her wedding gift.  As soon as confirmation came through that she was the owner, she signed them over to Lionel as the arrangement had agreed. 

On her return, Catherine went to visit Lionel in Metropolis.

"Hey, Dad."  She called entering the apartment.

"Cat.  I didn't expect to see you here so soon."  Lex said from his position on the sofa.

"I didn't expect to see you at all."  She replied nervously.  "Where's Dad?"

"At the office.  I'm glad you're here though I wanted to ask you something."

"Sure, what?"  She was recovering from the shock quickly.

"Why do you want to divorce Bruce?"  Lex registered the shock in her eyes at his question.

"I don't. Are you high?  'Cause that would be a step backwards for you."

"Look, it's just something Dad said, sorry I asked."  Lex told her dismissively.

"Dad wouldn't say that."  She replied caustically.

"Why is it a secret?" 

"No, he knows I love Bruce."  She turned to leave.

"Then why are you having an abortion?"  He asked coolly.

She stopped dead.  "How would you know?"

"They rang to confirm the appointment.  What's the plan you privately flush his baby so you don't lose your figure before the next one?"  He asked with disgust evident in his voice.

"You have no idea."  She turned back to him.  "I suppose that you'd rather I just keep it, con him.  Let him raise another man's child as his own.  He'd never know, genetics is funny like that, you can usually explain it with recessive genes."

Lex was stunned.  "You mean you had an affair."

"Yes, I'm not proud of it.  I was lonely; he was there.  I didn't mean for it to happen like this.  I found out the day of the wedding, this was the first opportunity I had to sort it out.  It made for a fun honeymoon, worrying your husband will find out your planning an abortion of a baby that isn't his."

"I'm sorry, I had no idea.  But why did you tell Dad?"

"Lex, just because he couldn't buy off my Mum doesn't mean there weren't others that he could.  I knew he'd know of somewhere, discreet."  She turned to leave.  "You won't tell Bruce, will you?"

"No, your secret's safe."

"Thank you."

She left and walked down the hall to the lift.  Just as she was about to press the button, the doors opened revealing Lionel with a predatory look in his eye.

"Was he there?"

"Yes."  She replied, entering the lift.

"Did he ask?"

"Yes."

"Did you make him promise?"

"Yes."

"So he bought it?"

"Yes."  She said exasperatedly.  "Now can we please go, I can't stand having this thing in me for another minute."

From the balcony Lex watched his sister leave with their father; just as he had watched them arrive ten minutes earlier.