His new stepsister His biggest threat (Claire and Elijah) novel Chapter 137

**Chapter 137**

**Claire’s POV**

As I stepped into the music room, I found Elijah already lost in thought, his figure moving restlessly across the polished wooden floor. The rhythmic sound of his footsteps echoed in the stillness, as if he were attempting to outrun the very pulse of his own heart. The air was tinged with the scent of varnish and aged sheet music, while golden rays of sunlight streamed through the windows, casting slanted lines across his tense shoulders.

Before I could even close the door behind me, he turned sharply, his gaze locking onto mine with an intensity that made my stomach twist.

“Claire, can you please explain why I just heard from Coach Darren that you signed up for the solo performance at the Winter Arts Showcase without even giving me a heads-up? Are you just going to dive into everything now? What happened to taking it easy?” His voice was low but tight, a mixture of concern and frustration.

I stood frozen, one glove still clutched in my hand, feeling as if I were caught in a sudden storm. “Elijah, take a breath. I didn’t keep it from you. I just… signed up this morning. It wasn’t something I planned; it was more like a spontaneous burst of courage.”

He ran a hand through his tousled hair, clearly agitated. “A moment of courage is great, but you should have at least mentioned it. Do you realize how many people will be there? The entire school, plus visitors from other schools. You’ll be up there all alone on stage. This isn’t something you’ve done before.”

“I know that,” I replied, stepping closer, wanting to bridge the distance between us. I didn’t want to feel like I was defending myself in a war zone. “And I really want to do this. I’ve always dreamed of singing in front of an audience; I just never had the right push before.”

Elijah halted his pacing, his chest rising and falling in measured breaths.

He let out a heavy sigh, the tension in his shoulders easing slightly. “I’m not angry. I just… worry about you.”

“I understand that,” I murmured, my voice softer now. “But I deserve to try new things too, no matter how many there are. I’m not fragile.”

He opened his mouth, as if to argue, but then hesitated and closed it again, a flicker of understanding crossing his face.

“Fine. But let me help you through practice so you don’t overdo it. I may not be a professional singer, but I’ve got some skills.”

A small smile crept onto my face. “You can help, even though I’m skeptical about your singing abilities. But I’m leading this one.”

His eyes softened, despite his efforts to maintain a tough exterior. “You’re impossible.”

“And you put up with me anyway.”

He didn’t deny it, and that unspoken acceptance hung in the air between us.

By the time afternoon rolled around, gossip was swirling faster than the wind outside. Apparently, someone had spotted me leaving the music room with audition sheets in hand, and within mere hours, whispers filled the halls about how I was “challenging the senior girls who dominated the show every year.”

Jessica found me at my locker, her expression a mix of surprise and barely contained excitement.

“So… Miss Claire,” she said, leaning casually against the cool metal door. “You’re performing at the showcase? That’s actually pretty cool.”

I blinked, taken aback. “You think so?”

“Absolutely,” she replied, her tone surprisingly warm. “I think this is a great opportunity for you. And if you need help picking out your performance outfit, I’d be more than happy to assist.”

I hesitated, unsure how to respond to the sincerity shining in her eyes.

“Elijah won’t like that,” I admitted, my voice tinged with caution.

Jessica snorted, dismissing my concern. “Elijah doesn’t want anyone near you. We can still be normal friends, you know.”

“I’ll think about it,” I said, genuinely considering her offer. “Really.”

Her smile transformed into a soft, genuine one as she walked away, leaving me feeling as if the ground beneath my feet had shifted, tilting toward a new and unexpected direction.

Later, as I made my way toward the cafeteria, I felt the atmosphere around me change. A familiar scent—sterile, clean, and faintly reminiscent of expensive soap—filled the air. It was a presence I hadn’t sensed in a long time but recognized all too well.

I turned abruptly.

Dr. Adrian stood there, near the courtyard archway, as if he had stepped straight out of a memory I wasn’t ready to confront.

He caught my eye and smiled, but it wasn’t the warm kind of smile; it felt more like a forced politeness.

“Claire,” he greeted, his voice smooth. “It’s good to see you up and about again. I heard you’re back to full activity.”

I didn’t take a step closer. “What are you doing here again?”

“School board business,” he replied smoothly, his demeanor calm. “They needed a medical consultant for the sports division. I was invited. I thought I’d take the opportunity to say hello.”

My throat constricted. “You didn’t have to.”

“No,” he agreed, his tone oddly detached. “But I wanted to ensure your memory is treating you kindly. Losing so much at once can be… destabilizing.”

I stiffened at his words. They were gentle yet carried an undercurrent that sent chills down my spine.

Before I could respond, Elijah appeared behind me like a looming storm cloud. The expression on his face twisted my stomach into knots.

“What exactly are you doing talking to her alone? What happened to the ‘scheduled visits’? This is getting really weird,” he demanded, his voice sharp enough to cut through the tension.

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