The Prison-Made Queen novel Chapter 509

Elara's fingers pressed gently and methodically across Tamara's lower abdomen. The pressure was firm yet perfect, carrying the cool detachment of a seasoned professional.

"Does it hurt here?" she asked.

Tamara shook her head. "No, it doesn't."

Elara gave a small nod and continued moving her fingers, investigating carefully. Her movements were incredibly steady—each press was precise and controlled, without a single ounce of wasted effort.

"Everything feels normal." Elara noted, pulling her hands back. She stripped off the latex gloves and tossed them into the biomedical waste bin. "Let's start with an ultrasound."

...

In the ultrasound room.

The sudden squirt of icy ultrasound gel on her lower stomach made Tamara wince slightly.

Elara grasped the probe and scrutinized the monitor. Amidst the black-and-white static, a tiny, distinct gestational sac came into view.

"You appear to be about six weeks pregnant." Elara explained, pointing to a small speck on the screen to show Tamara. "Based on the ultrasound, the embryo is developing normally. However, your progesterone levels are somewhat low. You're going to have to be very careful moving forward. Otherwise, you run the risk of a miscarriage."

The doctor paused, taking a closer look at Tamara's pale complexion before asking. "How have you been sleeping lately?"

Tamara pressed her lips together. "...Not great."

Pregnancy was never a walk in the park, but Tamara's situation was infinitely worse. Not only was she racking her brain every day trying to keep her condition a secret from everyone, but she was also terrified to consume proper nutritional supplements in case someone noticed. Compared to expecting mothers who could just focus on resting, Tamara's nutritional health was severely lacking.

...

Out on the hallway benches.

Josiah took the medical report from Tamara and skimmed over it. To him, the dense rows of medical terminology and numbers were essentially a foreign language. "So, what did the doctor say?"

Her mood still damp, Tamara answered quietly. "She said the baby is fine, but... because I've been overly stressed and the fetus isn't getting enough nutrients, she prescribed me some stabilizing meds and supplements."

Josiah let out a dry sigh. "With the way you've been living, of course you're malnourished."

In this day and age, pregnant women in their social circle were practically worshipped, waited on hand and foot with the best food and care. Tamara was the sole exception. Despite marrying into the prestigious Sherwood family, she was forced to hide her own pregnancy like a dark secret.