Chapter 106

Kelly POV

I sat at the head of the long glass table, fingers resting lightly against the smooth surface as my fellow board members exchanged knowing glances. They had been waiting for this moment, waiting for me to finally return to my seat after weeks of absence so they could pounce.

Congresswoman or not, power was a fragile thing in a room full of men who thrived on watching a woman fall.

"Kendra, you’ve been absent for too long," one of them said smoothly, leaning forward with a practiced frown of concern. "It’s become quite a... topic of discussion."

"People are talking," another chimed in. "Your ability to lead has been questioned."

I forced a calm smile, though my blood boiled beneath my skin.

"I wasn’t aware I had to ask permission to be a mother before being a congresswoman."

A few of them looked shocked, not expecting me to hit back so quickly.

"Of course not,"