Chapter 8

Kelly POV

The studio lights glared against my skin as I adjusted my posture on the plush chair. The bustling energy of the set buzzed around me, but my mind was steady. After years of clawing my way to where I was, sitting in front of a camera no longer felt daunting. I had learned to mask my vulnerability beneath a polished, unshakable demeanor.

The host, a well-dressed man in his forties named Benjamin Carr, flashed me a charismatic smile.

“And we’re live in three, two, one…”

The cameras blinked red, and the interview began.

“Good morning, everyone. Today, we’re honored to have one of D.C.’s most talked-about rising stars, Congresswoman Kendra Lewis. Known for her bold reforms and fierce advocacy for underrepresented communities, she’s become a name to reckon with in just a few short years. Congresswoman Lewis, thank you for joining us today.”

I smiled, the kind I’d perfected for the media. “Thank you for having me, Benjamin. It’s a pleas