His new stepsister His biggest threat (Claire and Elijah) novel Chapter 200

Chapter 200

Claire’s POV

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I sat in the waiting room of the school office, legs crossed tightly, fingers twisting the hem of my sweater. The secretary had called me out of third period with a vague “visitor for you,” and my stomach had dropped the moment I saw Dr. Adrian standing there, briefcase in hand, expression serious. He asked to speak privately, so here we were-me on a hard plastic chair, him in the counselor’s borrowed office, door closed.

He didn’t waste time.

“Claire, I reviewed your latest logs and the report from the fireworks episode,” he said, voice calm but firm. “I’m concerned enough that I wanted to see you today rather than wait for the scheduled appointment.”

I nodded, throat dry. “I’ve been taking the new meds. No episodes since.”

“That’s good,” he replied, making a note on his tablet. “But stability is fragile right now. I spoke with your mother this morning-she gave permission for me to discuss options here.”

Options. The word hung heavy.

He continued. “We can manage this conservatively with medication and monitoring, which we’re doing. Or we can consider a more definitive intervention. A procedure to address the arrhythmia source directly.”

My heart stuttered-just a flutter, but enough to remind me why we were having this conversation. “Like… surgery?”

“A catheter ablation,” he explained gently. “Minimally invasive. We thread a catheter through a vein to the heart and correct the electrical signals causing the irregular rhythms. Success rate is high for your type of condition, especially at your age.”

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Chapter 200

I stared at the floor. Surgery. Even “minimally invasive” sounded huge.

“How soon?” I asked quietly.

“We could schedule within the month if you choose it. Recovery is quick-few days rest, back to normal activities in a week or two. No more restrictions long-term.”

No more restrictions.

The words echoed. No more careful counting of adrenaline moments. No more fear that a loud noise or an excited cheer at a game could send me to the ground. No more feeling like a glass version of myself.

But also needles, hospitals, anesthesia, risk.

“I need to think,” I said.

“Of course,” he answered. “Talk to your parents tonight. I’ll send the full information home with you. Whatever you decide, we’ll support.”

He stood, handing me a folder thick with pamphlets and consent forms. “One more thing. Stress is a trigger. If there’s anything in your life adding unnecessary pressure, try to minimize it.”

I thought of the secrets, the hiding, the constant careful dance with Elijah. Stress didn’t begin to cover it.

“Thank you,” I managed.

He left, and I sat there a minute longer, folder heavy in my lap.

The bell rang for lunch. I slipped out the side door to avoid the crowded hallway, needing air. The cold hit my face, sharp and clean. I walked toward the art wing, planning to hide in the studio until the next period.

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Chapter 200

That’s when Audrey appeared.

She was coming from the gym doors, cheer bag over her shoulder, hair perfect even after practice. She spotted me and changed direction, smile bright.

“Claire! Perfect timing.”

I slowed, but I didn’t stop. “Hey.”

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She matched my stride like we were friends catching up. “I’ve been meaning to ask-you’re so good with all the design stuff from the showcase. The hockey team’s doing this huge senior night thing after the last home game. Banners, videos, the whole deal. I’m heading the committee, and I thought maybe you could help with the graphics? It’d be super fun.”

I kept walking. “I’m pretty busy with finals and portfolio work.”

“It wouldn’t be much,” she pressed, voice light but insistent. “Just a few designs. And it’d be great exposure- your name on everything in the rink.”

I stopped in the middle of the hallway, turning to face her fully. “Audrey, I’m flattered, but I’m going to pass.”

Her smile flickered, but she recovered fast. “Oh. Okay. I just thought since you and Elijah are… close, living together and all, you’d want to support the team.”

The way she said “close” was deliberate, testing, like she was poking at a bruise to see if it hurt.

“We’re not that kind of close,” I said, voice already tight.

She tilted her head, eyes wide with fake innocence. “Really? Because he’s always watching you. And you’re at every single game. People talk.”

My temper flared hot and immediate. “Then people should learn to mind their own business.”

She raised her hands in mock surrender. “Hey, no judgment. I just think he’s amazing, and if you’re not interested…” She shrugged, smile turning sharp. “Maybe someone else could be.”

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Chapter 200

That was it.

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All the frustration from Dr. Adrian’s visit, from the folder in my arm, from months of watching her circle him like a vulture-it exploded.

I stepped closer, voice low and shaking. “Stay away from him, Audrey. I mean it.”

Her eyes widened in exaggerated surprise. “Wow. Possessive much? I didn’t realize you had a claim.”

“I don’t need a claim to tell you to back off,” I snapped. “You’ve been throwing yourself at him for months, and he’s not interested. Take the hint.”

She laughed-light, cutting, loud enough that heads turned. “Relax, Claire. It’s just a boy. You’re acting like I’m stealing your boyfriend or something.”

The word boyfriend hung in the air.

Students were stopping now, forming a loose circle. Phones came out slowly.

I felt my wolf surge forward, teeth bared inside me. “He’s not just anything. And he’s definitely not yours.”

Audrey’s smile vanished. “You’re making a scene.”

“You started it,” I said, voice rising despite myself. “You can’t stand that he doesn’t want you, so you keep pushing and posting pictures and acting like if you try hard enough he’ll notice. News flash-he doesn’t. He never has.”

Her face flushed red. “You don’t know what he wants.”

“I know more than you think.”

The hallway went quieter, the crowd growing. Someone whispered, “Fight?”

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Chapter 200

PS4 youchOES

Audrey stepped closer, voice venomous. “You think you’re so special because you live with him? News flash- he’s nice to everyone. Doesn’t mean anything.”

“It means everything.” I shot back. “And if you touch him one more time, if you post one more photo with your arm around him like you have any right-”

“What?” she interrupted, laughing again. “You’ll what? Cry to your mommy? Oh wait, she’s married to his dad. How awkward would that be if everyone knew you’re jealous over your own stepbrother?”

The word stepbrother landed like a slap.

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