Maybe it's my own cynicism, but two WAFFY chapters in a row in this story makes me also think there's more challenges or worse on the way.
Glad to see Clark's notebooks were what I guessed. Like his explanation of why he wrote them and his insight into his own character.

Well, Clark's former master IS still lurking out there...

Clark's got some serious, life long PTSD to deal with after Lex's treatment of him. It would take him years, if ever, before he'd feel confident enough to take the stand and face his "brother." And writing is sometimes easier than speaking things aloud, so it made sense for Clark to write out his confessions.
Thanks for reading!