His new stepsister His biggest threat (Claire and Elijah) novel Chapter 42

**Chapter 42**

*Claire’s POV*

“Elijah…”

The name slipped from my lips, a whisper that echoed in the stillness of the room before I even realized I was speaking. The sound of my own voice jolted me, pulling me further into consciousness.

Everything felt unbearably heavy—my limbs, my chest, even my eyelids felt weighted down. The sharp, sterile scent of antiseptic assaulted my senses, and as I attempted to move, the sheets scratched against my skin like coarse sandpaper.

For a disorienting moment, I struggled to place my surroundings. The overhead lights hummed softly, casting a sterile glow, while the rhythmic beeping of the monitor beside my head seemed too loud, too steady, a jarring reminder of the reality I was trapped in.

Then it struck me like a punch to the gut. I was in a hospital. Again.

A burning sensation clawed at my throat as I swallowed, and my voice emerged ragged and hoarse. “What… happened?”

As I turned my head, the first thing that caught my eye was him.

Elijah was seated in a chair that he had pulled close to my bedside, his elbows resting on his knees, his gaze fixed on me with an intensity that made my heart race. For that fleeting moment, he didn’t move an inch; he simply stared, as if he were trying to convince himself that I was truly there, that I was real.

Then, finally, he exhaled, the sound heavy with relief. “You’re awake.”

I blinked, my lashes feeling like lead weights. “What… are you doing here?”

Out of all the interventions the moon goddess could have orchestrated, having Elijah by my side was certainly not one I had expected.

His jaw tightened, muscles flexing under the strain. “You collapsed near the lockers at school. It was—” He hesitated, the words seemingly caught in his throat. “There were wires. Someone rigged it, and you were electrocuted.”

Panic surged through me, freezing my thoughts. “What?”

The memory crashed into my mind like a tidal wave. Jessica… she had truly gone to great lengths to see me harmed. I had always known she despised me, but I never imagined she would resort to such extreme measures.

“It wasn’t an accident.” His voice was clipped, edged with a sharpness that hinted at anger, yet his eyes betrayed a deeper concern. “You would have died if I hadn’t found you.”

My mouth opened, but no words came forth. He had saved me. Again.

I attempted to push myself upright, but as soon as I lifted my body, a sharp pain lanced through my chest. “Ow—”

“Don’t.” His movement was swift, almost instinctual, as he reached out before he could think. His hand found my arm, steady and warm, anchoring me against the mattress. “You’re still weak.”

His touch was electric, but not in a painful way. It was as if his skin radiated warmth that my body craved, a heat I couldn’t resist.

I locked eyes with him, and for a heartbeat, the world around us faded into silence. The air between us thickened, charged with an unspoken tension that felt palpable, as if it could shatter if either of us dared to breathe too loudly.

It was he who broke the spell, looking away first. He withdrew his hand and sat back down, his jaw set tight. “Your mom and Ethan are here. They’ve been talking to the doctors. They’ll come up soon.”

I swallowed hard, the reality of my situation crashing down on me. “How… long was I out?”

Elijah’s jaw tightened, and he glanced briefly at me before his gaze dropped again. “I just—happened to be there.”

Mom straightened slowly, finally acknowledging him. The mix of gratitude and guilt on her face made something twist painfully inside me. “You have our thanks, Elijah. Truly.”

He nodded stiffly, muttering something I couldn’t quite catch, and took a step toward the door.

“Wait,” I blurted out before I could stop myself.

He froze.

I didn’t even know what I wanted to say—maybe a simple thank you, or something more profound. But all that came out was, “You shouldn’t have stayed.”

He turned his head slightly, just enough for me to catch a glimpse of the faint curve of his mouth—not quite a smile, not quite anything. “Yeah. I probably shouldn’t have.”

And just like that, he was gone.

The room fell into a heavy silence once more, the only sound the steady beeping of the monitors.

My mother sighed deeply and sank into the chair beside me, exhaustion etched into her features. “I can’t take this anymore,” she murmured, half to herself. “One day it’s fainting, the next it’s this—Claire, please, promise me you’ll be careful.”

“I will,” I replied, even though I knew I couldn’t make that promise. What had just happened was entirely beyond my control; it was Jessica who had crossed the line.

Ethan placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. “We’ll find out who did this. I’ll make sure of it.”