His new stepsister His biggest threat (Claire and Elijah) novel Chapter 146

**TITLE: Betrayal Births by Joseph King**

**Chapter 146**

**Claire’s POV**

As I descended the staircase, my bare feet glided silently over the cool, polished hardwood floors, each step a whisper in the stillness of the house.

The rich aroma of roasting vegetables mingled with a hint of sweetness, a familiar scent that signaled Mom’s trademark after-school creation, wafting through the air before I even laid eyes on anyone. The living room enveloped me in warmth, its soft lighting casting a gentle glow that made the space feel more like a sanctuary than a mere stage for daily life.

There was Mom, perched delicately on the edge of the sofa, her hands resting lightly on the slight curve of her stomach, which had yet to show any signs of life. When her gaze met mine, her lips curved into a smile that radiated warmth, yet I could sense her thoughts drifting elsewhere, lost in a world of her own.

“I’ve been mulling over names,” she began, her voice light and almost ethereal, as if she were dreaming aloud. “For the baby. I keep bouncing between Lila and Maris for a girl… or perhaps Cian for a boy…” Her voice trailed off, fingers tapping thoughtfully against her chin.

A pang of emotion tightened in my chest, a mix of nostalgia and something deeper, more complex. Fragments of memories from the last pregnancy flickered through my mind, a kaleidoscope of grief and loss, intertwined with the uncertainty that had shadowed our family. I swallowed hard, invoking a small prayer to the moon goddess, the one I had always secretly trusted. Please, let this one be safe. Please, let there be no complications.

“Claire, sweetheart, you seem awfully quiet,” Mom remarked, her brow furrowing with concern as she glanced at me. “Is everything all right?”

I mustered a smile, though it felt somewhat forced. “Yeah, Mom. Just lost in thought about school. You know, relay prep and all that.”

Ethan, who had been engrossed in his tablet, looked up and flashed a faint grin. “Just make sure Elijah doesn’t quiz you too hard tonight. He’s relentless, even if he knows his stuff.”

I rolled my eyes, but I couldn’t help the twitch of a smile that crept onto my lips. “I’ll manage,” I replied, slipping into the chair beside the table, my heart a little lighter.

Elijah entered the room quietly, a glass of water in hand. His hoodie hung loosely over his shoulders, and he exuded the calm, composed presence I had come to rely on. Yet, behind his eyes, I detected a subtle tension, as if he were bracing himself for something. He nodded at Mom and Ethan before sliding into the seat directly across from me.

“So,” he began casually, “academic relay prep. Are we going to tackle this tonight, or should I prepare for a dramatic reading of the study guide first?”

A soft laugh escaped me. “I’m ready. Feel free to start quizzing whenever you like.”

He raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing at the corners of his mouth. “Confident, are we? Just remember, I’ll make you regret every overly confident answer.”

“Bring it on,” I challenged, leaning forward, my hair tumbling into my face as I grinned, adrenaline coursing through me.

Dinner unfolded in a comfortable cadence, punctuated by Mom’s animated chatter about baby names, a stark contrast to my quiet anticipation of what lay ahead. Elijah and I exchanged thoughts on the academic relay, discussing strategies and potential topics that might come up. He posed questions with casual precision, allowing me to ease into the flow of the study session without realizing how nervous I truly was.

Once the last morsel of dessert had vanished, Elijah stood up decisively. “All right, time to head outside. Let’s get this done before your brain decides to call it a night.”

I followed him into the garden, where the air was crisp and refreshing. The sky stretched above us, a deep velvet tapestry sprinkled with stars that twinkled like powdered sugar. A gentle breeze tousled my hair, and for a fleeting moment, I nearly forgot the purpose of our outing. Elijah leaned against the railing, arms crossed, a picture of relaxed confidence.

“Relax,” he advised, watching as I settled onto the garden bench. “I’ll make it easy… for the first five questions.”

I huffed in response. “You mean you’re going to make it slightly less impossible.”

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