Page 48 of The Defiant Wife
My gaze drifts toward the dark window.Toward the city beyond it.And despite myself, I wonder what Diya is doing right now. Whether she's still plotting whatever ridiculous scheme shecame up with this afternoon, because I am surethatsmile didn't mean nothing.
The realization hits a second later.
Why am I thinking about her again?
Sitara watches me for another second. Then her smile softens. Not teasing anymore. Just knowing. Which somehow feels worse.
"Goodnight, bhai-sa."
I frown. "That's it?"
"That's it."
Before I can question it, she disconnects.
The screen goes dark. Silence settles across the room. Aadhya sleeps peacefully against my chest.
The city glows outside the windows.
And somewhere in the back of my mind, a woman with too much energy and far too many opinions continues occupying space she was never invited into.
The irritating thing?
For the first time since meeting her . . . I'm not entirely sure I want her to leave.
13. MISSION IMPOSSIBLE
DIYA
I should have known something was wrong the moment I walked into the NGO and found Veeraj peacefully drinking coffee.
Do you know how suspicious that is?
For normal people, it's not suspicious at all. For Veeraj Singh Shekhawat? Extremely suspicious.
The man has spent the last two weeks looking mildly inconvenienced by my existence.Not annoyed enough to leave.Not interested enough to engage.
Just . . . .there.Tall.Silent.Judgmental.Like an expensive gargoyle somebody accidentally brought to life.
Which means today is the perfect day to continueOperation Make The Prince React.I smile to myself as I walk into my office.
A smile that immediately causes Manisha to narrow her eyes."What are you planning?"
I gasp dramatically. "Mani."
"What?"
"Why does everyone assume I'm planning something?"
"Because every time you smile like that, somebody suffers."
I place a hand over my heart."I am deeply offended."
Manisha doesn't even blink."Poor prince."
"You're supposed to be on my side." I pout.
"I'm on the side of peace."
