Page 15 of The Defiant Wife

The courtyard goes silent. I hear a gasp. Then another. Then—Giggles. My gaze lifts. Every single child is trying—and failing—not to laugh.

I turn toward Diya.She's looking away.A clear indication of guilt.

"Diya." The giggles grow louder.Her shoulders shake.I narrow my eyes.

"Diya." That does it.She breaks.Laughing.Actually laughing. No sign of politeness or composure.

The children immediately join in whileI stand there covered in mud while twenty-seven tiny traitors and their ridiculous leader laugh at my expense.

Realization dawns. Slowly. Painfully.

I have been set up.The gardening activity.The helpful children.The suspicious enthusiasm.

Everything.

A prank.

An elaborate prank.

My jaw clenches. "What."

Nobody answers.

Jay finally points toward a bucket hidden behind the flower pots. Evidence. The criminals left evidence. Amateurs.

Diya wipes tears from her eyes. Still laughing. "Oh my God."

I stare at her.

She laughs harder. "I cannot believe you actually fell for it."

"Fell for what?"

"The gardening."

I look at the dirt. Then at her. Then at the children. "You made me plant flowers."

"Yes."

"You made me spend an hour planting flowers."

"Correct."

"You knew I hated every second of it."

She thinks about it.Then nods."Also correct."

The children collapse into fresh laughter.

I close my eyes. Take a deep breath. Then another. Because unfortunately I cannot strangle anyone. There are witnesses.

When I open my eyes again, Diya is still smiling. Smug. Victorious. Entirely too pleased with herself."What is wrong with you?"

She grins. "Lots of things."

The honesty catches me off guard.Several children cheer.One of them high-fives her and I roll my eyes. I haven't felt this frustratedin a while.

I brush dirt from my shirt.