Belle's father's face burned with a mixture of anger and fear. His eyes were fixed on the mirror where Thomas's faint silhouette still lingered.
"Belle!" he shouted, his voice trembling, "I warned you never to come here! Do you even realize what this… this spirit could do to you?"
Belle froze, her chest tightening.
"Father… you know about Thomas, don't you? Who is he? Why is he calling me?"
Her father's lips pressed into a thin line, as if the truth he had buried for years was too heavy to release. But the glow of the mirror and Thomas's haunting presence forced those secrets to the surface.
"He… he's not just some wandering ghost, Belle. He is… my sin from the past."
Belle staggered back. "Your sin?"
Her father's eyes welled with tears.
"Years ago, something terrible happened in this mansion. A young man… an innocent soul, whose name was Thomas. He was accused of a crime he never committed. And because of that false accusation… his life was taken."
Belle's heart nearly stopped. Her voice broke.
"So… he died… but his spirit?"
"He could never rest." Her father lowered his head. "His death was unjust. In his final moments, he cursed the bloodline of those who betrayed him. And… I was there that night, Belle. I tried to save him, but I failed."
Belle's lips trembled. "You… you were part of this?"
Her father nodded slowly, guilt dripping from every word. "Yes. And now he is pulling you toward him… because you are bound to that curse."
The room grew silent, heavy with sorrow and fear. Then suddenly, Thomas's voice broke through, deep and ragged:
"He is not telling you the whole truth, Belle. The reality… is even darker."
Tears streamed down Belle's face. Her eyes darted between her father's haunted expression and Thomas's burning gaze from beyond the mirror—eyes that seemed to reach into her very soul.
"Whom should I believe?" she whispered, torn.
Thomas's lips curled into a faint, sorrowful smile.
"Believe your heart, Belle. Because your heart will never lie to you."
Her father grabbed her hand, pulling her sharply away from the mirror.
"This spirit will destroy you! It will consume your life!"
But Belle couldn't tear her gaze away from Thomas. Even trapped behind the glass, his presence was overwhelming, his eyes fierce yet tender. And for the first time, a dangerous thought crossed her mind—
Could love truly be stronger than death?
✨ End of Chapter 11 ✨