Page 123 of The Defiant Wife

"I've spent thirty years believing that life is built on logic.Plans.Discipline.Structure. Ibelieved everything had a reason." Her brows furrow,"Everything had to make sense.But then you walked into my life . . . "A small smile appears on my face."And suddenly nothing made sense anymore." I chuckle softly,"You make me worry.You make me smile.You make me leave work early just because I want to see you." I murmur, almost breathless from my own confession,"You make me missyou the second you leave the room."I laugh softly."I honestly didn't know one person could take over someone's thoughtsthiscompletely."

Her eyes slowly fill with tears again."I thought maybe it was just an attraction.Then I thought maybe I was simply being protective.But I was wrong." Thank God, I was wrong because I can't and don't want to imagine a life without her anymore."It's so much more than that."

I gently tuck a loose curl behind her ear."You are kind.You are brave.You always put everyone else before yourself.You make people feel safe.You bring life into every room you walk into."

I smile."You are everything I'm not."

"I'm quiet."Her eyes meet mine.

"You're loud." She chuckles despite tears in her eyes.

"I'm serious." She tries stopping the sob.

"You laugh at everything." But it leaves her mouth anyway.

"I plan every step." I rub circles on the back of her palm.

"You somehow make chaos look beautiful." She inhales sharply.

"And somehow . . . "I take her hand and hold it against my chest again."You complete me."

She freezes.A tear rolls slowly down her cheek.I smile through the emotion building inside me."I've always liked being alone."

"I hate small talk.I don't miss people.I've never needed anyone.But now . . . " I inhale deeply,"I think about you all the time.I wonder if you've eaten.I wonder if you're smiling.I wonder if you've reached the NGO safely."

"And when I come home . . . "I gently squeeze her hand."It only feels like home when you're there."

I let out a shaky breath."I love you, Diya." The words finally leave my heart.

Simple.

Honest.

Certain.

"I love you."Another tear slips down her face.I lean forward and rest my forehead against hers."I love you," I whisper again."And I'm going to keep loving you . . . no matter how this story began."

I kiss her. With everything I've been holding back.

When we finally pull away, she wraps both arms tightly around my neck.

"I love you too," she whispers against my lips, her voice shaking with tears and relief. "I've loved you for so long.".She hides her face against my shoulder."I was just too scared to believe someone like you could ever love someone like me."

I hold her tighter."You never have to doubt that again."

She smiles through her tears. So do I.For the first time in my life, logic has no answer.

And strangely . . . I've never felt more complete before.

50. CONCESSIONS

DIYA

"If you don't sit still for the next three minutes, Kunwar Sa, I swear I'm going to pour this entire bowl of lentil soup straight onto your expensive linen pants." I point the silver spoon at him like it's a weapon.

We're finally back in our room at the palace, and somehow the mighty Veeraj Singh Shekhawat has decided that one cut on his head and a few bruised ribs give him permission to behave like the biggest man-child I've ever met.

He's propped up against a mountain of pillows, arms folded across his chest, looking at the bowl in my hands as if I've personally betrayed him.