Page 45 of The Defiant Wife

"Cha."

I sigh.Aadhya smiles victoriously.I don't know how.But I've somehow lost an argument to someone whose vocabulary consists of approximately six words. I don't feel bad about it though.

Sitara is still laughing."Honestly, this is what you deserve."

I narrow my eyes."For what?"

"For refusing to date."

I immediately groan. "Please, stop with it."

"Please, stop with it," she mimics.

I point toward the screen."You live five hours away from here. How are you still involved in my business?"

"Because your business is entertaining."

"My business is none of your business."

"See?" She points dramatically. "That's exactly why you're single, Bhai sa."

I rub my forehead.Aadhya takes this opportunity to climb onto my shoulders.Of course she does.The child apparently views gravity as a suggestion.

"Vihaan bhai sa and Devraj bhai sa found people," Sitara continues.I immediately regret answering the call."You should too."

"I don't want to."

"Why?"

Because I don't see the point.Because people build entire lives around emotions that change every five minutes.Because love sounds exhausting.Because I've watched otherwise intelligent people make spectacularly stupid decisions because of feelings.Because logic has always made more sense.

The answer sits on my tongue. Yet strangely enough, I don't say it.

Instead, I watch Aadhya struggle to stack blocks.The tower collapses.She gasps dramatically.Then she starts again.Determined.Unbothered.Persistent. She's definitely her parent's daughter.

My gaze softens before I can stop it.A familiar image suddenly slips into my mind.

Diya.Standing in the middle of the NGO courtyard.Children hanging off her arms.Laughing. Her eyes shining with joy when she's around them.Completely unaware of the chaos surrounding her because she is usually the source of it.

I blink.The image remains.

Annoying.

Unexpected.

Concerning.

Sitara notices immediately.Unfortunately. "Oh."

I immediately know that tone.That dangerous, curious tone.I already hate where this is going.

Her grin widens."That was interesting."

I frown. "What was?"

"The face."

"What face?"