His new stepsister His biggest threat (Claire and Elijah) novel Chapter 86

**TITLE: Betrayal Births by Joseph King**

**Chapter 86**

**Claire’s POV**

Honestly, when Elijah casually suggested, “let’s go swimming,” I almost burst into laughter right in his face. The sky above us was a brilliant blue, unmarred by clouds, and the air was warm, almost inviting. A part of me wanted to show him that I wasn’t as delicate as I sometimes felt. So, despite the flutter of uncertainty in my stomach, I agreed.

As we made our way to the pool nestled behind the house, I could already feel a wave of regret washing over me. He had transformed into a pair of sleek black shorts, standing confidently at the edge of the pool as if he were born to make others feel acutely self-conscious about themselves.

I stood there in a swimsuit I had unearthed from the depths of my closet, gripping my towel with a tightness that felt almost desperate. The idea of splashing around in the water with him sent an unexpected shiver down my spine. All I could do was hope he wouldn’t notice the way my body reacted to his presence.

“Stop staring,” I declared, even though I was aware he wasn’t actually looking at me.

He turned his head, one eyebrow arched in playful challenge. “You’ve been standing there for three minutes.”

“I was… adjusting,” I replied, trying to sound nonchalant.

“Sure,” he said, his voice dripping with that quiet amusement of his that made everything feel like a dare. And just like that, he dove into the pool without any warning, slicing through the water with effortless grace.

I rolled my eyes, trying to shake off the tension, and followed him in, gasping as the cool water enveloped me. The sensation was refreshing, a balm for my nerves, and for those fleeting moments, I could forget how peculiar everything felt between us. My limbs moved instinctively, as if my body remembered how to swim even when my mind was still grappling with the confusion swirling around us.

When I finally resurfaced, I found Elijah leaning casually against the edge of the pool, his eyes fixed on me. The sunlight danced across his shoulders, and I blinked repeatedly, attempting to ignore the way my heart raced.

“What?” I asked, feigning indifference.

“You swim well,” he remarked simply, his tone devoid of any embellishment.

“I should hope so,” I shot back, trying to maintain my composure.

A corner of his lips twitched upward, and the sight sent an uncomfortable flutter through my chest. I swam past him towards the deeper end, pretending that I didn’t feel the weight of his gaze trailing behind me.

We spent an enjoyable stretch of time like that—swimming, teasing, and tiptoeing around the unspoken tension that crackled between us. He splashed water at me, and I retaliated with a splash that was far more forceful, and somehow, it felt… normal. Like this was a routine we had shared countless times before.

But then, as I paused to catch my breath, I lost my footing on the slick tiles near the edge. Before I could even process what was happening, Elijah was there, his hand firmly grasping my wrist while his other arm wrapped around my waist. The warmth of his skin against mine sent a jolt of electricity through me, freezing me in place.

For a heartbeat, the world around us faded into silence.

“Careful,” he murmured, his voice dropping to a husky tone that sent shivers down my spine.

I nodded, my ability to form words slipping away. My heart raced, pounding against my ribcage like it was trying to escape. Our eyes locked, and I found myself lost in the depths of his gaze. They were calm yet piercing, holding my attention captive.

It wasn’t the kind of stare that made me uncomfortable—it was something far more intense. It made me want to stay right there, close enough to feel the warmth of his breath, close enough to notice the way his pupils had darkened, revealing a depth I hadn’t anticipated. Something deep within me stirred, a recognition that was both familiar and terrifying.

I awoke to the soft murmur of voices drifting up from downstairs. The enticing aroma of food wafted through the air, and my stomach grumbled in protest, reminding me that I hadn’t eaten since breakfast.

Dinner was a quiet affair. My mom and Ethan chatted animatedly about the upcoming gala—the guest lists, preparations, and security measures. I nodded when my mom asked if I was feeling better, even though the word felt hollow in my throat.

“Yes,” I replied, though it lacked sincerity.

Elijah sat directly across from me. He hadn’t uttered a single word since I entered the room, but I could feel his gaze on me intermittently. Each time I dared to look up, his eyes were already fixed on me, unreadable and intense. I dropped my fork too quickly, muttering an apology as I bent to pick it up again.

He reached for the jug of water, poured a glass for me without a word, and then resumed eating as if it were the most casual thing in the world.

“Thank you,” I managed to say quietly, my voice barely above a whisper.

He nodded once, a simple acknowledgment that sent my heart racing again.

The table fell back into silence, the only sounds being the clinking of cutlery against plates. My mom laughed at something Ethan said, and I offered a faint smile, though my thoughts were elsewhere.

Every time I attempted to focus on the conversation, my gaze would drift back to him. This time, he didn’t return the glance, but I could sense the unexplainable pull between us—the same magnetic force that left me bewildered.

By the time dinner concluded, my pulse had settled into a steady rhythm, but something within me remained restless, a current of unresolved feelings swirling beneath the surface.

Later that night, as I lay in bed staring at the ceiling, I could still feel the ghost of his hand around my wrist, a reminder of the connection that lingered just beyond my grasp.