Married By Mistake

Chapter Twenty Eight— A Heart That Shouldn’t Be Mine

He wasn’t hers—not by promise, not by destiny—but the way he looked at her that night made Mirabel wonder if hearts could choose people they were never meant to love.

The night settled over the valley like velvet, soft and warm, hiding the ruins of yesterday under its gentle darkness. Their small campfire crackled softly, sending thin sparks into the cool air. The world around them was quiet except for the distant hum of insects and the rustle of wind through the trees. It should have felt peaceful.

But nothing inside Mirabel felt peaceful.

Not when Cole kept glancing at her from across the fire.

Not when Triumph slept beside them with the tired heaviness of someone who’d fought too hard for too long.

Not when her own heart beat too loudly in her chest every time Cole shifted closer.