Page 59 of The Defiant Wife

I don't like the way that sounds. Not one bit.

Bhai sa's expression hardens slightly. "What exactly do you mean by that?"

Mr. Goyal sighs heavily.Like he's carrying some terrible burden. "Let's be realistic."

No.Let's not.Because every time people say that, they're usually about to say something stupid.

"Her skin was already a problem."

Every muscle in my body locks.Beside him, Diya freezes.Her eyes widen as she stares at her father, wordless, as if she's shocked and not at the same time, her cheeks redden and eyes glisten as she finally drops her gaze to the floor.

And for the first time since she entered the room, I see it. Not anger. Not annoyance.

Pain.

Raw. Familiar. The kind that doesn't come from a stranger.The kind that comes from hearing the same thing repeatedly until you almost start believing it.

"Finding suitable matches was already difficult." His voice keeps going.His words are making me angrier."And now this scandal? No respectable family will consider her."

My hands curl into fists.No respectable family.I look at Diya.Really look at her.At the stubborn woman who spends her life caring for children.At the woman who would rather argue with me than flatter me.At the woman who somehow manages to light up an entire room simply by walking into it.And this man is discussing her like she's damaged merchandise.

Like she's a burden.Like she's something to get rid of.

A liability.

The word lands like acid.A liability.

I look down at his hand.Still gripping her wrist.Still hurting her.My chair scrapes against the floor.Everyone looks at me.

Slowly, I rise to my feet.

Her father falters.For the first time since entering this room, he looks nervous.

Good.

My voice comes out low.Dangerously calm."Take your hand off her."

The room goes silent.Completely silent.

His eyes widen.For a second he doesn't move.Then he immediately lets go.

Diya rubs her wrist.I look away before I do something irrational. Like say exactly what I think of him.

Mr. Goyal clears his throat. "I only meant that a royal alliance would solve everything."

There it is. Finally. The truth. Not concern. Not reputation. Not his daughter.

A royal alliance.

The solution he walked into this palace hoping to secure.The realization settles heavily in my chest.He doesn't care that she's hurting.He doesn't care that she's upset.He doesn't care what she wants.He only cares about the opportunity sitting in front of him.

And suddenly I can't stand another second of it.I can't stand the way she's sitting there looking smaller than she should.I can't stand the way her father keeps speaking for her.I can't stand hearing him discuss her as though she isn't even in the room. He shouldn't talk about her if she isn't.

Most of all—I can't stand how sad she looks.The thought hits me unexpectedly. Violently. Because sadness doesn't belong on her.

Annoyance? Absolutely. Chaos? Definitely. Mischief? Every day. But not this.Never this.

Before my brain can catch up with my mouth, I hear myself speak. "I'll marry her."