Reborn at Eighteen The Billionaire's Second Chance novel Chapter 98

Chapter 98

Elara

The examination room door clicked shut behind Julian. I sat on the

edge of the paper–covered table, hands gripped tight in my lap.

Dr. Chen was exactly as I remembered from my past life. Calm.

Professional. The kind of person who’d seen everything and judged

nothing.

“Hello, Elara. I’m Dr. Chen.” She gestured to the examination table.

“Let’s start with some basic questions.”

I nodded. My throat felt dry.

“Any nausea? Dizziness?”

“Yes. Both.”

“When was your last period?”

I told her the date. She noted it down.

“Are you sexually active?”

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My face burned. I felt the heat spread down my neck. “Yes.”

“Using protection?”

I hesitated. The silence stretched. I could hear the clock on the wall

ticking. Could hear my own heartbeat in my ears.

“I took emergency contraception. Last Saturday.”

Her pen paused. Just for a second. Then she continued writing. “I see. That would explain the nausea and dizziness. Plan B has significant

side effects.”

She continued the examination. Blood pressure. Heart rate. Weight.

Her frown deepened. “You’re underweight. Have you been eating

properly?”

“Not really. No appetite.”

“I can tell.” She made another note. “You’re showing signs of

malnutrition.”

The physical exam followed. I changed into a gown. Lay back on the

table. Stared at the ceiling tiles while she worked.

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Professional. Detached. Efficient.

When she finished, she helped me sit up. Made notes on her tablet.

“Your physical exam shows no abnormalities aside from the

malnutrition,” she said. “The nausea and dizziness are consistent with emergency contraception side effects. Those should resolve within a

few days.”

She looked at me directly. Professional but not unkind.

“I need to be clear about something, Elara. Emergency contraception

is exactly that–for emergencies. It’s not meant to be used as regular birth control. The hormone dose is very high and can cause significant side effects, as you’re experiencing now.”

I nodded. Kept my eyes down.

“If you’re going to continue being sexually active, you need a proper contraceptive method. Birth control pills, an IUD, or at minimum, consistent condom use.” She handed me several pamphlets. “These explain your options. I can prescribe pills today if you’d like, or we can schedule a follow–up to discuss an IUD.”

“I…” My voic

me out small. “I’ll think about it.”

Chapter 98

“All right.” She made another note. “But in the meantime, you need to

focus on your health. Your weight is concerning. I want you eating

three proper meals a day, including protein and vegetables. And rest.

Your body is under significant stress.”

She stood. “I’ll have the nurse draw blood for a full panel. The results

will be ready tomorrow. We’ll check for anemia and any vitamin

deficiencies.”

“Thank you.”

She paused at the door. “Take care of yourself, Elara. Your health

comes first.”

Then she was gone.

I sat alone in the examination room. Stared at the pamphlets in my

hands.

The paper felt thin. Cheap. I could see my fingers through it.

I set them down on the table beside me. Pressed my palms against my thighs. My hands were shaking.

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Dr. Chen hadn’t pried. She’d been professional. Kind even. But her

words kept echoing in my head.

“Your body is under significant stress.”

I looked down at my hands. They were thinner than they’d been a

month ago. I could see the bones in my wrists more clearly. The veins

stood out blue against pale skin.

When had I gotten so thin?

I thought about the past few days. Had I eaten breakfast these days? I couldn’t remember. Yesterday I’d forced down some toast. The day

before that–nothing.

I wrapped my arms around myself. The gown was too thin. The air

conditioning too cold.

Through the window, I could see the city. People walking on sidewalks. Cars moving through intersections. Everyone going somewhere. Living their lives.

I wondered what it felt like. To be normal. To not have every choice

controlled. To not sit in a doctor’s office at eighteen worrying about birth control with your adopted

6 her.

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The thought made my throat tight.

I’d found Raven today. That was good. That was something.

Tomorrow I’d go watch her test her installation. Tomorrow I’d start building something. An ally. A friend maybe.

I held onto that. It was the only good thing I had.

Footsteps in the hallway.