His new stepsister His biggest threat (Claire and Elijah) novel Chapter 153

**Betrayal Births by Joseph King**
**Chapter 153**

Claire’s POV

The atmosphere in the room shifted dramatically following Dr. Adrian’s unexpected request. A profound stillness enveloped us, so palpable that I could hear the gentle, persistent hum of the fluorescent light above. It felt as if the silence had thickened, wrapping around us like a heavy fog, making the air almost suffocating.

A sharp pang shot through my heart, a sensation so intense it felt as though my stomach was twisting in knots. It was the kind of feeling that hinted at truths I wasn’t ready to confront, secrets lurking just beneath the surface, waiting for the right moment to reveal themselves.

Dr. Adrian stood at the foot of my infirmary bed, his expression inscrutable, a mask of calm that he donned whenever he wanted to convey authority. He had just reiterated his expectation that I would be in his hospital the following day, delivering the news with an unsettling nonchalance, as if he were casually discussing the weather or planning lunch. The weight of his words settled heavily in my chest, like stones thrown into a still pond, sending ripples of anxiety coursing through me.

Before I could even gather my thoughts, Elijah straightened in his chair, his presence suddenly commanding. His voice emerged steady, yet it bore an unmistakable edge that I had come to recognize. It was low and measured, but the firmness of his tone cut through the tension like a knife.

“Tomorrow isn’t happening,” he stated decisively. “We agreed on Wednesdays because that’s when she is actually free. You can’t just show up here and change it on a whim. That isn’t how this works.”

In that moment, the air seemed to freeze.

Jessica’s eyes darted back and forth between us, wide with surprise, while the girl beside her stiffened, as if caught in a scene from a play she hadn’t auditioned for. I remained motionless on the bed, unable to find my voice. A wave of relief washed over me, knowing Elijah had articulated everything I was too afraid to say.

A flicker of something crossed Dr. Adrian’s face, but it was too fleeting for me to decipher. He held Elijah’s gaze for several long seconds, and I observed them intently, feeling a warm sensation settle within me. It was a peculiar comfort, the kind that comes from knowing someone is shielding you from the storm.

Then, as if a switch had been flipped, Dr. Adrian’s demeanor softened into what resembled a smile, though it never quite reached his eyes. He glanced at me for a brief moment, his gaze deliberate, before returning to Elijah.

He offered a slight nod. “Of course,” he replied, his tone now more accommodating. “If Wednesday is what works for you, then Wednesday it is.”

The smile lingered on his face in a way that made my wolf stir uncomfortably within me. He then advised me to take good care of myself, reminding me he would see me on Wednesday, before turning and striding out of the infirmary.

The girl who had been standing near Jessica hesitated for a moment, then offered me a gentle smile, wishing me a swift recovery before following Dr. Adrian out the door. The sound of the door clicking shut marked the transition to a more intimate atmosphere, leaving only Jessica, Elijah, and me in the room.

Jessica settled onto the stool beside my bed, exhaling slowly as if releasing the tension that had been building. “That was something,” she remarked, her tone a mixture of awe and disbelief. “Your doctor is quite the intense man. He seems like someone who wields medical jargon like a weapon in debates.”

Elijah let out a soft snicker, shaking his head slightly. “He’s skilled in his field, but he doesn’t grasp the concept of boundaries. He has this insatiable need to know everything, even when it doesn’t concern him.”

I couldn’t help but scoff in agreement, the sound escaping me heavier than I anticipated. “I can’t believe I ever liked him,” I admitted, shaking my head. “He seems far too eccentric now.”

Jessica chuckled lightly, and the tension that had filled the air began to dissipate, replaced by a more relaxed atmosphere.

A few minutes later, the nurse returned with my chart in hand, her expression all business. She informed me that I was cleared to leave, provided I promised to eat something. She reiterated this point twice, as if she feared I might forget by the time I reached the hallway.

Elijah wasted no time in asserting his authority over the situation. The moment we stepped outside, he thrust a sandwich into my hand. He stood there, watching intently as I took my first bite, then the second, and even the third. His eyes remained fixed on me until I had devoured the entire sandwich, and I could sense his desire to check behind my ears to ensure I hadn’t stashed any of it away.

Once he finally relaxed, I rolled my eyes playfully. “You act like I’m starving myself,” I teased.

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