After the accident, Lex holed himself up in his house. We thought he might have blamed himself. It wasn't his fault. Kal-El knew that. He forgave him long before he gained his own forgiveness. She would have been there, too. But Lana Lang was gone and there's nothing that could bring her back now. So, they let him sit and simmer in his self-pity for seven days. And it was then that something inside of Lex Luthor snapped. Not long after that, he left for Metropolis.
"I love you, Lex."
"I know."
She loved him sincerely and with a good heart. But he could never love her. Of course, it was always debatable as to whether or not someone who was never shown love could truly show love. Nevertheless, he did not love her, nor did he show her the affection deserving a good wife. But she was never a good wife and he was never a good husband. It was the one thing in their marriage that neither ever tried to hide. But she stayed with him. Did anything for him. Mostly just to keep her heart from breaking. And sometimes, though she would never admit it, because she knew that he would die without her.
"Have you seen the papers today, pet?"
"No."
He laughed. It was a cold laugh, empty and devoid of the feeling it held in days gone by. "Well, pet, it seems we made the front page again. This time it was at Café le Blanc."
"How nice." Her smile was strained and tired. Every day she had to remind herself why she stayed.
"I'm leaving." He took up his briefcase and straightened his expensive tie. On his way out the door, he glanced over his shoulder. "Don't you want to know where I'm going?"
She answered, "Where?" But, to herself, she said: "It doesn't matter. You'll be back in a week, and I'll love you just the same."
"Indonesia, on business. I'll be back on Sunday." But he paused at the door again. "Will you wait for me?"
There was something in his voice that always made her answer the same. "Don't be silly, Lex." But the laugh was forced and his eyes remained, staring intently into hers.
His voice faltered. "Will you wait for me?"
"Always."
He left then. But for the captive princess, he was never really gone.
