Page 24 of The Defiant Wife

"You must've done something very bad."

I stare. "What?"

She nods solemnly. "If Diya didi scold you."

I blink once. Then twice. The absolute certainty on her face is astonishing.

Apparently there are no alternative explanations. None. The verdict has been reached. Prince uncle is guilty. Case closed.

I look away before she notices my amusement. Not that she'd know what amusement looks like. According to everyone in this building, I apparently don't express emotions.

A ridiculous accusation.

Mostly true though. But I have shown more emotions here than ever even with my family.

My gaze drifts toward the doorway. Toward the empty hall beyond it. Toward the direction of Diya's office. That's the thing I don't understand.

We could coexist peacefully. Very easily.

I show up. Complete the tasks. Leave.

Simple. Efficient. Yet somehow every interaction with her turns into a battle. A challenge. A test.

She's constantly provoking me. Constantly looking for reactions. Constantly trying to push buttons she assumes exist.

And I still don't know why.

If I knew what exactly bothered her, perhaps I could fix it. Or at least avoid it. Not because her opinion matters. It doesn't. At least I don't think it does. But because existing in a constant state of irritation is exhausting.

Then again, maybe the problem isn't me.

Maybe Diya simply enjoys creating chaos. That theory certainly has evidence. A lot of evidence. The gardening incident alone could support an entire court case.

I shake the thought away.

Three more weeks. That's all. Three more weeks and this entire chapter of my life ends. The board gets their photographs. The public gets their stories.

I return to work.

Diya returns to her children.

Everything goes back to normal. Simple. Logical. Exactly the way I prefer things.

Beside me, Rani suddenly holds up her drawing. "Do you like it?"

I look down. The house is yellow. The sun is yellow. The grass is somehow yellow. Even the dog is yellow. An alarming commitment to a single color.

"It's very yellow."

Rani beams. Actually beams.

And for some reason, I find myself saying something I normally wouldn't.

"I think it looks good."

Her smile grows wider. A small warmth settles unexpectedly in my chest. Strange. Very strange.

Across the room, the classroom door opens. And instantly twenty-seven children light up. "Diya didi!"