His new stepsister His biggest threat (Claire and Elijah) novel Chapter 47

**Chapter 47**

**Claire’s POV**

The following day after school, I felt as if I might just collapse right there on the pavement.

The burden of an entire school day had settled on my shoulders like a heavy cloak—those incessant whispers, the probing questions, and the nagging sensation of being scrutinized by a hundred eyes. It was utterly exhausting, and I longed to retreat to the sanctuary of my room, to curl up under my blankets and erase the existence of the outside world for at least a fortnight.

But, as fate would have it, Naomi had other ideas.

“Come on,” she urged, tugging at my sleeve just before we reached the school gates. “You can’t just go home and lock yourself away again. You need some fresh air, Claire. Normal air. People air.”

I shot her a skeptical glance. “You make it sound like I’ve been living in a cave.”

She flashed me a mischievous grin. “Practically. You’ve been inhaling hospital oxygen and drama for weeks now. It’s high time you experienced something different.”

“Naomi—”

“Please,” she interjected, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. “There’s a lovely park nearby. It’s peaceful and beautiful, and best of all, it’s not crowded. You’ll love it, I promise.”

I hesitated, torn between my desire for solitude and the truth of her words.

She was right, after all. My world had shrunk down to the confines of school, home, and the hospital. The very idea of a place that wasn’t bustling with people made something inside me unclench. Crowds always sent my heart racing in strange, erratic rhythms, and the added drama of being around too many people only intensified that chaos.

“Fine,” I relented, adjusting my bag on my shoulder. “But if I pass out again, I’m coming back to haunt you.”

Naomi chuckled, linking her arm through mine. “Deal.”

And so, we set off toward the park.

The distance wasn’t far—just a few blocks, really. People milled about the streets, each engrossed in their own lives. The scene felt oddly serene, perhaps even normal.

But as Naomi pranced through the park gates, I was taken aback.

My mouth fell open in surprise.

The park was far more enchanting than I had anticipated.

It wasn’t the raucous playground filled with the shrieks of children that I had envisioned; instead, it was a tranquil haven, designed for those seeking solace beneath the shade of trees, a place to simply sit and reflect. The air was fragrant with the scent of freshly mowed grass and blooming jasmine, while sunlight filtered through the leaves above, casting soft, dappled patterns on the ground.

At the center, a fountain bubbled gently, its surface glinting like gold in the sunlight. A handful of people strolled leisurely—couples, joggers, and an elderly gentleman feeding birds.

Naomi and I wandered along one of the winding stone paths. She chattered animatedly about her classes, her mother’s new obsession with perfumes, and a movie she was eager to watch that weekend. Her words flowed around me like a gentle stream, harmonizing with the peaceful ambiance of the park.

For the first time in what felt like ages, I felt… normal.

Then, amidst the soothing sounds of nature, a voice pierced through the tranquility.

“Claire?”

I froze mid-step. That voice sent an electrifying jolt through me, and I instinctively turned around.

I recognized that voice all too well.

It wasn’t Elijah’s; his tone was always sharper, more jagged. This voice was smooth, laced with a quiet curiosity that tugged at my heart.

Slowly, I scanned the area.

Standing a few meters away, near the fountain, was the last person I expected to see in a park on a school evening.

Dr. Adrian.

He wasn’t clad in his usual lab coat; instead, he wore a simple navy button-down shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, his dark hair tousled as if the wind had been playing with it. Without the stark, clinical light of the hospital, he appeared softer, more approachable.

And undeniably captivating.

When he noticed the flicker of recognition in my eyes, he smiled. “I thought that was you.”

For a heartbeat, I forgot how to breathe. I was acutely aware of how my jaw might have been hanging open slightly, and I struggled to regain my composure.

“Dr. Adrian,” I stammered, my voice quivering slightly. “What—what are you doing here?”

“Please,” he chuckled lightly, taking a step closer. “It’s just Adrian outside the hospital.”

Naomi’s eyes darted between us, filled with curiosity and amusement. I shot her a warning glance, silently pleading for her not to say anything embarrassing.

“I didn’t expect to run into you,” Adrian continued, his demeanor relaxed. “I had to leave the country for a conference and some research work. I meant to schedule your follow-up appointment, but I couldn’t exactly call the Alpha while I was abroad.”

I blinked, taken aback by his candidness. “Oh. No, it’s fine. I’m just glad you’re back.”

He nodded, his gaze lingering on me for a moment longer than necessary. “You look better than the last time I saw you. How have you been feeling?”

“Better,” I admitted honestly. “Fewer episodes, at least.”

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify