BLACK DRAGON'S REVENGE: FROM SERVANT TO NIGHTMARE

CHAPTER FIVE

The hospital corridor felt colder than death itself. Dante moved like a ghost, barely aware of how he had gotten there. The same nurse from earlier stood at the reception desk. Her expression turned uneasy when she saw him.

“Mr. Morrell…”

“I’m here to see my mother,” he said, voice hoarse.

The nurse hesitated, then sighed. “You’ll need to clear the outstanding balance first. It’s fifteen thousand seven hundred and eighty dollars. Until it’s paid, we cannot release the body.”

Dante stared at her, numb. “Body…?”

“I’m sorry. Hospital policy.”

The word hit like a blade. He couldn’t even see her one last time. A broken, bitter laugh escaped his throat. “Not even a goodbye?”

The nurse looked away. There was nothing left to say.

“Brother…?”

Dante turned slowly. Elena stood at the end of the hallway in her school uniform, eyes already swollen from crying. The moment she saw his face, her expression crumbled.

“Brother… is it true?”

He could only nod.

Elena ran to him, throwing herself into his arms. “Mom…” Her sob tore through the corridor. Dante held her tightly as his own tears finally broke free. They clung to each other—two orphaned souls shattered in the middle of sterile white halls.

“I didn’t even get to see her…” Elena wept. “She died alone…”

Dante’s chest felt like it was being crushed. He stroked her hair, forcing his voice steady. “You should go back to school. Exams are coming. Mom would want you to keep studying.”

“But I don’t want to leave you alone…”

“I’ll handle everything here,” he said gently. “Trust me.”

Elena hugged him once more, then nodded weakly. “Bring Mom home soon… okay?”

“I will.”

He watched her small figure disappear down the corridor before collapsing against the wall, fists clenched until his knuckles turned white. He didn’t even have fifteen thousand dollars.

---

Ashcroft Mansion

The opulent hall felt like a tomb. Crystal chandeliers and marble floors offered no warmth. Camilla lounged on the sofa, flipping through a magazine. She didn’t bother looking up when Dante entered.

“You’re back already?” she asked indifferently. “Finished barking for today?”

Dante stopped a few feet away. His eyes were no longer the same—they were empty, cold, and dangerously still.

“Miss Ashcroft,” he said quietly. “I want a divorce.”

The magazine froze mid-turn. Camilla slowly looked up. “What did you just say?”

“I want a divorce.”

Silence.

Then Camilla laughed—a sharp, mocking sound. “You? The man who barked like a dog in my living room wants to divorce me?” Her lips curled in disdain. “How amusing.”

Dante’s voice remained steady. “You promised to pay for my mother’s surgery. You humiliated me. You lied. And now my mother is dead.”

Camilla’s laughter faded. “So?”

The single word ignited something dark inside him. “I’m done with this marriage. Done with your family. I want out.”

Camilla’s expression turned dangerous. She leaned forward. “Let me make this clear. In this marriage, it is never over until I say it is.”

“You don’t get to decide that,” Dante replied.

“Oh?” Camilla smiled, cold and cruel. She picked up her phone and twirled it. “There’s still that unpaid hospital bill for your mother’s body. If it isn’t settled… the hospital might donate it to medical research.” Her smile widened. “Imagine your dear mother, cut open on a lab table for students to practice on.”

Dante’s entire body trembled with rage. “Camilla Ashcroft. Don’t.”

“Then behave.” She turned to the butler. “Steward, cut Dante’s salary in half starting today. He needs to learn respect.”

“Yes, Miss.”

Camilla looked back at him. “That’s your punishment for raising your voice and daring to say my full name with that filthy mouth.”

Dante stared at her, seeing the monster clearly for the first time. “I’ve never wronged you,” he said, voice low. “So why are you so determined to destroy my life?”

Camilla studied him with mild curiosity, as if he were an insect that had learned to speak. “Destroy your life? You flatter yourself.” She leaned back. “Men are scum, Dante. Every single one. They need to be controlled.” A bitter smile touched her lips. “You just remind me of my failure. Dylan Pierce. If I had kept him under control, my life wouldn’t be this mess.” She waved dismissively. “So congratulations. You get to suffer for his mistakes.”

Her phone rang. Camilla’s face darkened instantly. “What?” She listened for a moment, then stood abruptly. “I’m coming immediately.”

She grabbed her coat and stormed out without another glance, leaving Dante alone in the vast hall.

---

Silence swallowed the mansion. Dante stood motionless for a long moment, then exhaled slowly.

“So that’s your game…”

He walked to the tall glass window overlooking the glittering city skyline. His fingers reached beneath his shirt, touching the black dragon necklace.

“Father…” he whispered.