His new stepsister His biggest threat (Claire and Elijah) novel Chapter 151

**Chapter 151**

**Claire’s POV**

It wasn’t until the last of the guests trickled out that I realized I had been holding my breath. The living room, once bustling with laughter and chatter, now lay in a serene stillness that enveloped me like a comforting shawl.

One by one, they had faded away—my mom bustling off to the kitchen, eager to whip up dinner; Ethan retreating to his office, phone pressed to his ear; Dr. Adrian darting off, likely to concoct the next phase of his miraculous plan.

And here I was, rooted to the couch, fingers nervously fidgeting with the hem of my hoodie. My thoughts were a chaotic storm, swirling around one central idea.

A real treatment for me.

A chance at normalcy.

It felt surreal, as if I were trapped in a dream that filled my chest with warmth until the harsh clang of an alarm shattered it all.

I glanced down at my trembling hands, surprised to find them shaking.

“Claire?”

Elijah’s voice wafted in from the hallway, breaking through my reverie. I looked up to find him leaning against the doorframe, his expression a blend of concern and that signature sarcasm he usually wore like armor.

His hair was tousled, evidence of his anxious fingers running through it, and for a moment, he seemed almost vulnerable.

“You okay?” he asked, his voice gentle.

I attempted a smile, but it felt too heavy in my chest. “I don’t know,” I confessed, my voice barely above a whisper. “It’s just… a lot.”

Pushing off from the doorframe, Elijah made his way over and settled beside me on the couch. The cushions shifted under his weight, and though he didn’t touch me, the warmth radiating from his body was a grounding presence.

“A good ‘a lot’ though,” he said softly, his tone encouraging.

“Yes.” I nodded, feeling a flicker of hope. “A very good a lot. I just… didn’t expect today to unfold like this.”

“Neither did I,” he murmured, a hint of disbelief coloring his voice. “Adrian showing up like some dramatic scientist out of a movie? That was a plot twist I definitely didn’t see coming.”

A small laugh escaped my lips, surprising me. “He really is quite the character.”

“He lives for it,” Elijah replied, a grin creeping onto his face. “I wouldn’t be surprised if he practices his speeches in front of the mirror.”

Another laugh bubbled up, and slowly, the tightness in my chest began to ease, like a balloon slowly deflating.

For a moment, we sat in a comfortable silence, the house humming softly around us. I could hear the distant clinking of cutlery and the soft footsteps of someone moving upstairs. It felt peaceful, like a safe harbor in a storm.

Then Elijah nudged my knee lightly with his own. “Come on,” he said, his voice coaxing. “You’re too stiff. Let’s get some air.”

“Outside?” I asked, a hint of surprise in my tone.

“Yeah. Fresh air does wonders. And if it doesn’t help, you can watch me take a spectacular dive into the pool. That usually brings a smile to faces.”

I snorted, shaking my head. “You’re not falling into the pool.”

“You never know. Life is full of surprises,” he replied, a mischievous glint in his eye.

Before I could respond, he stood and extended his hand toward me. I took it, allowing him to pull me to my feet. His grip was warm and reassuring, and perhaps I lingered a moment too long before letting go. Thankfully, he didn’t comment on it.

We stepped out into the backyard, the cool air wrapping around us like a refreshing embrace. The sun was dipping low, painting the sky in soft hues of orange and pink, and the pool shimmered like a flawless mirror.

We settled onto the lounge chairs at the edge of the pool, the wood warm from the sun’s earlier rays. The tranquility of the moment made my heart ache in the best way.

“So,” Elijah said, leaning back and folding his arms behind his head. “How do you feel? And don’t say ‘fine.’ You always say ‘fine’ when things are anything but.”

I scrunched my nose at him. “I’m not that predictable.”

“Yes, you are.”

…Okay, maybe I am. I let out a slow exhale. “Then I guess… I feel relieved. And scared. And oddly hopeful. I don’t even know how to juggle all of that.”

“Then don’t try to juggle it all at once,” he suggested simply. “Take it one emotion at a time. You just accomplished something monumental today—smashing that relay demo.”

I turned to look at him, and his eyes were soft and steady, devoid of any judgment. He wasn’t trying to fix me or drown me in empty platitudes. He was just there, and perhaps that was exactly what I needed.

“Thanks,” I murmured, my voice carrying a weight of sincerity.

“For what?” he teased, a playful glint in his eye.

“For being here. And not… I don’t know. Losing your mind.”

“I don’t lose my mind,” he replied, feigning seriousness.

“You do, actually.”

“I do not.”

“Really? What about that time you thought the house alarm was going off but it was just the microwave beeping?”

His jaw tightened, and I could see the faintest hint of embarrassment creeping onto his face. “That doesn’t count.”

“It absolutely counts,” I insisted, a smile tugging at my lips.

He narrowed his eyes at me, mock annoyance etched on his features. “I regret bringing you out here.”

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