Close to nine a.m. the next morning, I stared at myself in the mirror of the quaint bathroom in Dev’s cabin.

Today was the day I’d enter a new phase of my life. Something I’d never dreamed of doing when I was a child. A pang of hurt hit my heart, reminding me of the fight with Papa the night before.

I had to accept I’d never be the daughter he wanted, and he’d never be the father I’d wished to have. At least I had the rest of my family: Mommy, Ashur, Veer, and all the Camdens.

What surprised me most was Richard’s change of heart. He’d sat down with me and Jacinta to apologize for his behavior. He seemed genuinely affected by Papa’s words and actions. He told us the whole evening had put a mirror in front of his face and shown him how he was heading down the same road as Papa. The last thing he wanted to do was isolate himself from his children. Then, he’d offered to assist me with the drafting of my statement for this morning. And this was before Devin and I’d told anyone about the pregnancy.

After learning he was going to be a grandfather, he’d smiled and said the kid was exactly like his father, since Devin was conceived during the beginning of Richard’s first bid for Senate.

His effort to connect with me was a start to mending the hurt he’d caused, and I was going to take it. At least I had one father who wanted a relationship with me.

“Are you ready?” Jacinta peeked around the door of my bathroom.

“Almost. Let me put on some lipstick.”

“That dress looks better on you than it ever did on me.”

“I am a good three inches shorter than you. I’m just happy I can walk in it without tripping.”

“Whatever, you know you look gorgeous. It’s too short on me, but on you, it looks classy, polished, with a hint of high fashion and sexiness.” Jacinta leaned against the doorframe and grinned. “Did you read the polls? I’m ahead.”

“Yes, I did, Ms. Frontrunner.”

According to the polls released twenty minutes ago, Jacinta was favored over Decker for her party’s spot on the ballot. And Veer had a cult following of his own. As a war hero and a staunch supporter of veterans and the military, he had endeared himself to a segment of Texas politics who would rarely, if ever, vote for him. Now he had a twenty-point lead over the incumbent.

I was almost positive he was going to become the new Texas governor in four months.

As I set the makeup on the counter and turned to face my beautiful best friend, I noticed her wringing her hands together.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. No, really. I only wanted to say…” She paused and took a deep breath. “Thank you.”

“For what? I’m the one who should be thanking you.”

“For standing up to the Deckers and Sanderses of the world. I wish I had the courage to face the political fallout from revealing what happened to me. You make me think it’s possible.”

“It is,” I assured her.

“No, Sam. My party is changing, but they aren’t ready for what would happen if I came forward, and I’ll never get any future presidential nomination as I’m poised to do now.”

“I know, Jaci. No matter what, I will always have your back.”

It would never be fair on anyone’s part to judge her or others who’d suffered any form of violation—physically, mentally, or through reputation.

She came up to me, wrapping her arms around my shoulders and then pulling me in for a tight hug.

“I love you, Samina.”

I squeezed her back. “I love you too.”

Jacinta released her hold on me and dabbed at the corners of her eyes.

“Okay, enough sap. We have to go out there and face the mob. Excuse me, I meant the media.”

Immediately, my stomach knotted and rolled, bringing the urge to throw up. The funny thing was that I wasn’t sure if it was nerves or being pregnant.

“Thanks for bringing my mind back to reality.”

“My pleasure. Want some fizzy water? You look like you’re about to hurl.”

“I’m good. Where’s Dev?”

“I’m here,” he shouted from the cabin’s living room. “Ash and Veer have just arrived. They will be on the stage behind you with our parents. Tara also sent word Representative Jones filed your paperwork.”

My hands shook as I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear.

The train had left the station.

“Okay, let’s do this.”

My candidacy wasn’t just about me wanting control of my life anymore. I was doing it for women like Jacinta, who didn’t have a choice in how they had to keep their secrets. For anyone who’d had someone in power take theirs away.

My phone beeped, telling me everything was ready for the press conference.

Dev stood as I walked out of our room. He cupped my face, kissing my forehead.

“Any anxiety?”

“A little, but I’ve got this.”

“You’ll be perfect. Just think of everyone in their underwear.”

I scrunched up my nose. “That is a chilling thought.”

We walked out of the house and toward the stage area and media pit. I wasn’t sure how Jacinta had managed to transition from a holiday party to a patriotic campaign stage, but I was grateful.

I approached our families and nodded in their direction. They followed behind me as I took my place next to Veer. He was going to introduce me and then I’d be on.

“Ladies and gentlemen of the press, Samina Kumar will make a statement regarding her recent media coverage. Please note, she will not be accepting questions at this time but will be available at a later date.”

Veer gestured for me to move behind the podium.

I stared into the crowd. The normally spacious and manicured flower- and tree-lined lawn at the entrance of Jacinta’s estate was filled with cameras and reporters. There were police officers positioned along the fence and gates, blocking anyone who thought to trespass. And a giant American flag hung from the front balcony of Jacinta’s house.

A tremor shook my body.

All of these people were here because of me. The moment I opened my mouth, I’d start a new chapter in my life. I would no longer be a celebrity attorney or the secret lover of a federal judge. I’d become a politician, ready to make a difference.

I could do this. I was going to do this.

Taking a deep breath, I began.

“Ladies and gentlemen. I’m sure, you’ve seen and heard about the pictures released to the public yesterday. Let me give you the context in which they were taken, so you may understand the kind of men who orchestrated the events of the last twenty-four hours and have been representing the great states of Washington and Texas.

“With any serious and committed relationship, one’s experiences ebbs and flows. During one particularly tough day a few months ago, while I was in my home shower, Spencer Miller, a known tabloid reporter, broke into my house, took pictures of me, and threatened me. I was alone, emotionally distressed, sitting on the floor, and defenseless.

“Fortunately, my husband had security features installed in our bathroom, which allowed me to alert the authorities. Spencer Miller was arrested and charged with breaking and entering as well as voyeurism in the first degree.

“During a probe into the incident, investigators discovered Senator Grey Decker was responsible for hiring Spencer Miller and then selling the pictures to Senator Anthony Sanders. Subsequently, those images were offered to my former client, Clint Bassett, for release on his radio and Internet shows.

“You may ask why these two men would go after me. It’s very simple. They fear for their positions in Congress. Jacinta Camden and I are very popular in our states as well as very viable candidates against Senators Decker and Sanders. They thought to shame me and destroy my credibility as well as that of Ms. Camden. After all, I am married to her brother, and any scandal touching me will affect her bid against Senator Decker.

“Now to prove my accusations. At this moment, the Attorneys General of Texas and Washington, as well numerous other women and men in the political realm, are receiving thumb drives filled with evidence linking the senators to their conspiracy against me.

“It is time to stand up to those who abuse the privilege of working for the citizens of our country. It is time to change what is moral and acceptable behavior of those who preach one thing and behave in a different manner.

“Today, I stand before you as someone who is part of a new movement to remove all those who view their positions in Congress as a career and a right versus the privilege it is. I stand before you, not as a victim of immoral men, but as a fighter.

“I stand before you as a friend, a colleague, a wife, a sister, and the future senator of Washington State.

“I am Samina Kumar-Camden. Candidate for United States Senate.”

A roar of applause erupted, as well as a barrage of questions, in spite of Veer’s announcement. Jacinta and Veer came to each side of me and linked their fingers with mine.

“Smile pretty, kids,” Jacinta whispered, so no one else could hear. “This is a picture-perfect moment. A conservative, moderate, and almost-liberal onstage in support of each other.”

“You had to throw that jab in there, didn’t you?” Veer muttered.

Jacinta responded with an, “Of course, I did.”

I mentally shook my head and smiled at the crowd.

“We can do this,” I said with a sense of pride and excitement.

“Yes, we can.” Veer squeezed my fingers and then lifted them in the air, with Jacinta following the same action. Another wave of cheers echoed out of the crowd.

After a few more minutes, we walked away from the podium and down the steps toward our waiting families. They cheered and clapped, including Richard, who kissed me on the cheek.

Tears prickled my eyes and my heart filled with happiness. I knew the road ahead was going to be tough, filled with nonstop challenges, but with these people in my corner, there was no doubt I’d succeed.

Devin came toward me, offering me his elbow. “Well done, Senatorial Candidate Samina Kumar-Camden.”

He hadn’t known about the name change. I’d kept it a secret. We were moving to make our marriage as solid as possible, and I thought it would be a sweet gesture to hyphenate my name.

“Thank you, Judge Camden,” I said, slipping my arm into his.

“You were right,” he said as we walked down the path onto the property.

I glanced to my side. “About?”

“There are enough Senator Camdens in politics. It’s time for a Senator Kumar-Camden.”

“I couldn’t agree more.”

“I do have one condition before we move forward.”

I paused midstep and lifted a brow. “Of course, you do.”

“I want to fuck celebrity attorney Samina Kumar one more time before she becomes Candidate Kumar-Camden.”

“I believe that is definitely on the agenda.”