His new stepsister His biggest threat (Claire and Elijah) novel Chapter 14

**TITLE: Betrayal Births by Joseph King**

**Chapter 14**

**Claire’s POV**

As I slipped into my favorite pair of comfortable clothes, a flutter of excitement danced in my chest—a feeling I hadn’t experienced in what felt like an eternity.

Today was special…

A friend was coming to visit me, and the thought alone sent ripples of joy through my veins.

It reminded me of the carefree days back home with Lily and June, when they would show up unannounced, armed with snacks and the latest gossip, their laughter echoing off the walls of my room, filling it with warmth and life.

I missed those moments so deeply that it felt like a physical ache, a longing that gnawed at my heart.

Just thirty-five minutes later, a gentle knock on my door interrupted my daydreaming.

“Miss Claire, there’s a young lady at the gate. She says her name is Naomi and she’s your friend from school…” Maria, the maid, announced, her voice tinged with curiosity.

“Yes, please let her in,” I replied, trying to keep my excitement in check, even though my heart raced like a wild drum.

“And could you bring some drinks and snacks? Maybe some chocolates too?” I added, my voice barely concealing my eagerness.

Maria smiled knowingly. “Of course, Miss.”

Less than five minutes later, my door swung open with a burst of energy, and Naomi practically launched herself into my arms. The force of her hug was so tight that I struggled to catch my breath, her warmth enveloping me like a cozy blanket.

“I thought I lost you!” she exclaimed, her voice muffled against my shoulder, thick with emotion.

“I’m so sorry I’m just coming now. So many things happened, Claire. I feel like the worst friend ever…”

“No, you’re not,” I insisted, but my voice faltered, barely above a whisper.

She pulled back, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears, reflecting a mixture of relief and regret.

“I brought you some things. I know it can’t make up for disappearing, but…”

With that, she presented me with a treasure trove of gifts that took my breath away: a vibrant bouquet of sunflowers that seemed to radiate sunshine, a mini chocolate cake that looked too good to eat, an elegant bottle of expensive perfume, a soft teddy bear that felt comforting in my hands, and… an advanced programming book I had been yearning for months.

“Naomi, you didn’t have to do all this,” I said, my heart swelling with gratitude and disbelief.

“Don’t say that,” she replied quickly, shaking her head. “It’ll actually make me feel worse. I already feel like the worst friend in the world right now…”

I ran my fingers over the book’s glossy cover, still in shock at her thoughtfulness. Curiosity bubbled up within me, demanding to be voiced.

“Wait… Naomi… How did you even know I wanted this? I never told you.”

A mischievous smile danced on her lips, a glimmer of playfulness in her eyes. “I have my ways.”

I narrowed my eyes at her, half-serious, half-teasing. “Tell me…”

She let out a light laugh, lifting her hands in mock surrender.

“Fine, fine… I stalked you. When you weren’t returning my calls or responding to my messages, I went through all your old social media accounts.”

“YOU DID WHAT? You went that far?” I gasped, genuinely surprised by her determination.

“Yes… your accounts were filled with computer stuff—coding jokes, laptop pictures, engineering memes… the whole shebang. That’s when I realized… you’re totally in love with computers. So I figured this book would be just perfect for you…”

Heat crept up my cheeks, a mix of embarrassment and amusement flooding me. “You… stalked me?”

“Relentlessly,” she admitted with a cheeky grin. “But hey, it paid off, didn’t it?”

For the first time in days, laughter bubbled up from my chest, brightening the room.

Naomi wiped her eyes, taking a shaky breath as she gathered her thoughts.

“He and my mom were so in love once. They met in college… Mom got pregnant with my brother, and they started this perfect little family… for a while, everything was perfect, before everything changed…”

I could hear the bitterness creeping into her voice, a painful edge that cut through her memories.

“But then Mom got a really good job, and Dad was still looking for work. He became… different. Insecure… violent. He started hitting her.”

A chill ran down my spine. “Naomi…”

“She had three miscarriages because of the stress and the beatings,” Naomi said flatly, her voice devoid of emotion.

“He left after he gambled away all of Mom’s savings.”

Horror washed over me, and I covered my mouth in shock.

“When my brother was seven, Dad came back… full of apologies, promising he’d changed. Mom forgave him because she still loved him. She got pregnant with me…”

Naomi’s hands trembled as she continued, her voice thick with emotion.

“During her entire pregnancy with me, Dad was always traveling… Even after I was born, he barely stayed home. Mom got suspicious and had him followed.”

“What did she find out?” I asked, my heart racing with anticipation.

Naomi’s eyes brimmed with fresh tears, and she looked at me, her voice breaking.

“You won’t believe it, Claire. Do you know what she found?”

My heart thudded painfully in my chest, a mixture of dread and curiosity. “What?” I whispered, bracing myself for the answer.

Her voice was bitter, hollow, and filled with pain. “He had another family. With my mom’s best friend.”