Cursed Facade

"Wake up." The icy splash of water jolted Jasmine awake, her breath hitching as reality crashed down. Disoriented and trembling, she barely registered a hand striking her cheek. The sharp sting and the metallic tang of blood grounded her in a nightmare she couldn't escape.

Sebastian loomed over her, his presence as sharp and cold as the venom in his voice. "Welcome, princess. How do you find Montague's hospitality?" His smirk was colder than the water dripping from her face. "I bring news," he continued, his words cutting like a blade. "Your father has finally met justice-straight to hell."

Jasmine froze, tears welling in her eyes. "No," she whispered, shaking her head. "What happened to my father? What did you do to him?"

Sebastian's smirk twisted into something darker. "What did I do?" he repeated, his voice low and venomous. "I gave your father exactly what he deserved-for destroying my sister's life, for tearing my family apart." He leaned in closer, his gaze piercing and unrelenting. "But don't mistake this for an ending, Jasmine. This is only the beginning."

Her voice cracked as she pleaded, "Please-you've got it wrong. My father and I would never harm anyone!"

Sebastian's grip tightened on her chin, his unrelenting gaze boring into her. "Spare me your innocence," he hissed. "I should be glad he's dead-but I'm not because I didn't kill him myself. So I'll settle for you. Every tear, every ounce of pain, will torment him in his grave."

Even as fear consumed her, Jasmine's voice trembled with defiance. "You're wrong. Whatever you think you know, it's a lie."

Jasmine's memories were fragmented, her past shrouded in mystery. She couldn't even remember her father's face, let alone the sins this man accused them of. She didn't know where to begin, or who to turn to for answers. But one thing was clear: He wasn't just her captor-he was her storm. And the storm between them had only begun.