Belle could no longer hide her heart's restlessness. During the day, she tried to act normal, but every night, as soon as she entered her room, her heartbeat raced uncontrollably. She knew Thomas was near—whether he showed himself or not.
But something was changing.
That night, when Belle glanced into the mirror, she suddenly saw Thomas standing behind her. His once-cold eyes glowed with a warmth she had never seen before. A smile tugged at her lips without her permission.
Belle whispered softly:
"I wish you could stay with me like this… forever."
Thomas reached out and touched her hand. For the first time, Belle felt his touch warmer, more real, almost human. Her breath caught.
Thomas spoke gently:
"Belle… your love has started to change me. Perhaps God has finally heard our prayers."
Tears welled in Belle's eyes. She raised her hand to touch his face, and this time, she felt as though she wasn't touching air—she was touching him.
Parents' Objection
The next day, Belle's parents confronted her.
"Belle! We know you go into that room," her father said firmly.
Her mother's eyes trembled with fear as she added, "That place is cursed. Something lives there… and we don't want it to steal you from us!"
Belle's heart ached. She wanted to tell them the truth, but fear held her back. If they knew about Thomas, they would try to banish him forever.
A Glimpse of the Past
That night, Thomas revealed more of his past.
In a dreamlike vision, Belle saw him—once a young, handsome man whose life was cut short in a tragic accident. His soul had been trapped for centuries, waiting for release. The key to his freedom was true love.
Thomas whispered:
"Belle… you are the one whose love can break my prison. But you must be ready to sacrifice. The question is… are you willing?"
Belle's breath quickened. Her heart screamed yes, but fear and reason pulled her in the opposite direction.
✨ The chapter ends in suspense: Belle torn between her parents' warnings and her love for Thomas, and Thomas standing at the edge of humanity, waiting for her choice.