His new stepsister His biggest threat (Claire and Elijah) novel Chapter 136

**Chapter 136**

**Claire’s POV**

A week had passed, and the relentless pace of school life was beginning to wear me down.

I blinked through Mr. Calvin’s lecture on historical trade routes, forcing myself to remain alert. The past few days had been a chaotic blend of Elijah’s triumphant return to hockey, Jessica’s clumsy yet earnest attempts at forging a friendship, and my own gradual acclimatization back into the rhythm of school life.

And then there were Dr. Adrian’s peculiar visits.

Mr. Calvin’s voice droned on, a monotonous backdrop to my spiraling thoughts, until a sharp knock on the door sliced through the classroom’s atmosphere like a knife.

With a frown, our teacher called out, “Yes? Come in.”

The door creaked open, and in walked Dr. Adrian.

Well, speak of the devil.

Even before I caught the sharp intake of breath from the other side of the room, I felt Elijah tense beside me. His pencil froze mid-sentence, and though he remained silent, his body angled toward me as if anticipating some unseen threat lurking in the shadows.

I let out a slow breath, feeling the familiar knot of unease tighten in my stomach. Not this again.

Dr. Adrian flashed a polite smile, his demeanor calm. “Good morning, everyone. I’m here to speak with Claire for a few minutes, if that’s alright.”

Thirty pairs of eyes turned to me, and I felt the heat rise to the back of my neck. Nevertheless, I stood up, clutching my books tightly to my chest.

“It’s about your check-in,” he continued, as if trying to ease the strangeness of the situation. “Nothing serious.”

Elijah’s voice cut through the tension, low and steady, yet laced with an undercurrent of protectiveness. “I’m coming with her.”

Dr. Adrian blinked in surprise. “It’s just a short conversation.”

“I said I’m coming.”

I pressed my hand against Elijah’s arm, leaning in to whisper, “Please don’t make this dramatic. I’m already uncomfortable enough as it is.”

He whispered back, “I’m not leaving you alone with him.”

His words were simple, yet they hung heavily between us, a silent acknowledgment of the unspoken fears we both harbored.

Mr. Calvin waved us out, eager to return to his peaceful lecture, and we followed Dr. Adrian into the hallway, the door clicking shut behind us.

As soon as the classroom door closed, Elijah stepped closer, a protective barrier between me and Dr. Adrian.

Dr. Adrian raised an eyebrow at Elijah’s demeanor. “You’re very on edge today.”

“I don’t trust surprises,” Elijah replied flatly, his gaze unwavering.

I stepped between them, feeling the tension crackle in the air. “Can we just get this over with? What’s the check-in about?”

Dr. Adrian let out a sigh, looking directly at me. “I was informed about the tryouts. Your mom also asked me to ensure you were doing okay. I thought it would be best to check on you during school hours so you wouldn’t miss your afternoon classes.”

Elijah’s jaw tightened, his frustration palpable. “So you just decided to keep showing up without any warning?”

“I scheduled it through the office,” Dr. Adrian replied calmly. “You two simply weren’t paying attention to the announcements.”

A wave of embarrassment washed over me, warming my cheeks. “Oh.”

Dr. Adrian offered a gentle smile, attempting to diffuse the tension. “See? Nothing dangerous. Nothing to panic about.”

Elijah didn’t relax, but he did step back half an inch, a small concession. It was the best we could hope for.

We moved into the empty counseling room across the hall, and Dr. Adrian gestured for me to take a seat.

“What have the last few days been like for you?” he asked, pulling out a tablet, his expression serious yet concerned.

I shrugged, my fingers twisting nervously in my lap. “Quiet, I guess. Or as quiet as things can be when you’re pretending life is normal.”

“Are you experiencing flashbacks? Anxiety spikes? Trouble sleeping?” he probed, his voice steady.

I took a deep breath, weighing my words carefully. “Sometimes. It’s not as bad as it was before.”

Elijah settled beside me, his thigh brushing against mine. He remained silent yet alert, as if every word spoken would be scrutinized for hidden dangers.

Dr. Adrian glanced at Elijah, shifting the focus. “And you? How is your recovery from the moon sickness progressing?”

Elijah clearly wasn’t fond of the direct inquiry. “I’m managing.”

“Have you had any relapses? Any instability?” Dr. Adrian pressed, his tone professional.

“I said I’m managing.”

I reached out, lightly touching Elijah’s hand. “He’s doing better. He’s been calmer.”

Dr. Adrian nodded slowly, clearly considering our words. “That’s good to hear.” His gaze turned back to me, piercing. “And do you feel safe with him?”

The question caught me off guard, and I could see Elijah stiffen as if he had been jolted awake.

That was a rather inappropriate question.

I answered quickly, my voice firm. “Yes. I feel safe with him every single day.”

Dr. Adrian’s eyes lingered on me, studying me a little too closely, and I suddenly felt like a specimen pinned under a microscope. “Many people in your position would say that even if they didn’t mean it.”

“Elijah hasn’t hurt me,” I replied, my tone clearer this time. “He wouldn’t.”

Dr. Adrian leaned back in his chair, thoughtful. “Just be aware that trauma can distort perceptions. Sometimes, even those who love us most can behave in unpredictable ways.”

That was it. Elijah shot up from his chair so quickly that it scraped against the floor.

“We’re done here.”

I stood with him before Dr. Adrian could utter another word. “If my mother needs an update, you can call her. I’m fine.”

Dr. Adrian didn’t argue. “Take care, Claire.”

As we stepped into the hallway, Elijah exhaled a breath he seemed to have been holding for an eternity.

“He thinks—” Elijah started, but his sentence trailed off, the meaning clear without needing to be said.

As she walked away, Elijah folded his arms, a scowl etched on his face. “You’re not joining that.”

I lifted an eyebrow, my resolve hardening. “You don’t decide that.”

“She tried to hurt you, and she succeeded,” he retorted, frustration lacing his words.

“She tried to, yes. And she did. Past tense. She apologized. And she’s trying again. I want to make that decision myself.”

He clenched his jaw, the tension radiating off him. “I just don’t want you hurt.”

“I’m allowed to pick my own life, Elijah.”

His shoulders slumped at my words, and the protective fire in his eyes softened. “I know,” he murmured. “I just… it’s hard to turn it off.”

“I don’t want you to turn it off,” I whispered. “I just want you to trust my choices sometimes.”

He nodded slowly, the weight of my words sinking in. “Fine.”

I settled back beside him, our knees brushing together, and for the first time that morning, the tight rope within my chest began to loosen.

Later, as classes wrapped up and the hall buzzed with chatter, Jessica caught my arm again.

“There’s something else,” she said, lowering her voice conspiratorially. “If you join the team, you’ll need to come to the weekend workshop. It’s on Saturday.”

“Saturday?” I repeated, my surprise evident.

“Yes. And I know Elijah has hockey practice that day, so maybe it’ll be easier for you to come without him worrying.”

I paused, taken aback by her thoughtfulness. “You’re really trying this time, aren’t you?”

She nodded, sincerity shining in her eyes. “Yeah. I really am.”

Before I could respond, Elijah appeared behind me as if he had materialized out of thin air. “We’re going home.”

Jessica stepped back immediately, her expression shifting. “Right. See you later.”

He watched her leave, then turned to me, his brows furrowing. “Are we letting her in?”

“I think I want to try,” I said honestly, my heart racing. “Just a little.”

He regarded me for a long moment, and instead of arguing, he nodded once, a silent agreement forming. “Then I’ll be careful.”

The admission felt small, yet it carried a weight that resonated deeply between us.

As we walked toward the parking lot, our fingers brushed together until he finally took my hand, his voice low and almost shy.

“If you join the art team, I want to see your project.”

I smiled, warmth spreading through me. “You will.”

“And if anyone tries to make trouble—”

“I’ll handle it, Elijah,” I finished for him, laughter bubbling up softly.