The Prison-Made Queen novel Chapter 648

“But Tamara is Milford’s wife, and now she’s pregnant. You should… At the very least, you shouldn’t be so obvious about it. You have to maintain appearances.”

“I know,” Gloria cut him off, her voice flat. “And I haven’t mistreated her.”

Fitch was at a loss for words.

He sighed. “That’s not what I mean.”

Gloria put down her fork and looked at him. “Then what do you mean?”

Her gaze was placid but held an undeniable sharpness. “Ever since she came back, I’ve given her the best food, clothing, and care. Maids are at her beck and call twenty-four hours a day. What more do you want from me? To worship her like a goddess?”

“That’s not what I mean,” Fitch repeated in a low voice after a moment of silence. “At the very least… you should try to keep up appearances. Don't treat her like she's invisible. Who could endure that for long?”

Gloria let out a soft, mocking laugh. “You think if I smile at her, she’ll forget how she married into this family?”

Fitch could be magnanimous and forgive Tamara, but she couldn’t. She hadn’t forgotten for a second who was responsible for her precious daughter being unable to come home.

Fitch frowned. “Gloria!”

Gloria stood up, her tone icy. “I’m finished. Enjoy your meal.”

She turned and walked away, her back straight and distant.

The dining room was only separated from the living room by a partition cabinet. Although their voices hadn’t been loud, Tamara had heard every word of their conversation. She knew Gloria’s words were meant not only for Fitch, but for her as well.

Tamara nodded, but her fingers unconsciously gripped the bedsheet. This was her first official prenatal check-up. Before, she had been too afraid of the Sherwoods discovering her pregnancy to even go to a hospital. After returning to the Sloans, she had only gone for medication to prevent a miscarriage, never daring to visit an OB-GYN for a proper exam.

So, this was the first time Tamara would clearly see her child.

As the doctor applied the gel, Fitch stood nearby, his warm gaze fixed on the monitor. Milford, however, leaned against the wall, his expression cold, as if all of this had nothing to do with him.

Just as Fitch had said, to prevent Hackett from growing suspicious and to ensure the health of his first grandchild, he had required the entire family to be present for the check-up.

The ultrasound probe glided gently over her abdomen. Suddenly, a rapid “thump-thump” sound filled the room. It was the baby's heartbeat.

The room fell silent. Everyone’s eyes instinctively turned to the screen. The sound of the heartbeat, though faint, was undeniably strong and steady.