Chapter 10

Kelly POV

The event had gone off without a setback—my speech delivered with the exactness of years of practice, the crowd hanging on every word. I smiled through the applause, the excitement buzzing in the air. But despite the excitement of a successful evening, a strange unease gnawed at me.

When I entered my private office, I was greeted by the sight of a bouquet resting on the desk, nestled between my campaign notes. Fresh lilies, soft white petals, their fragrance delicate and sweet. They were beautiful, but it was the note that made my heart stutter.

For a brief moment, I felt a wave of relief. Adrian had said he would be in the city soon, and though I hadn’t seen him for weeks, I longed for his presence. Maybe these were from him—his way of showing support. After I picked interest in becoming a politician, I moved down to Washington DC with Harper, while Adrian stayed back in New York to run the hospital.

But as I reached for the envelope, a cold