Chapter 4: Contractually Yours

Dante's POV

My mother never knocked twice.

She had already crossed the room and sat beside me on the bed before I even fully processed that she was back, which was surprising because she had told me earlier she wanted to stay longer at the reception.

“Mom, you’re back? I thought you said you wouldn’t be coming back tonight?” I asked sharply as I grabbed my shirt from the bed to put it on.

Mom and I had attended a small private gathering that evening, the kind of formal event I tolerated purely because refusing certain invitations created problems I didn't have the patience to deal with.

My mother had wanted to stay behind and socialise. I had left early.

What she didn't know was why I had left early.

The DirtyLink date. Three months of conversation with one person and I had actually shown up somewhere for someone. Sat at that window table for almost two hours watching the entrance like someone who still believed in things.

They never came.

Just a single message and no explanation.

I had driven straight to the bridge after that to clear my head.

Now here she was, sitting beside me on the bed with that expression on her face that meant she hadn't come home just to check on me.

"Dante," she said carefully. "The serum. The vial I slipped into your jacket pocket before you left the reception tonight." She paused. "Where is it?"

I frowned. “What vial?”

My mother’s expression shifted instantly.

“You have no idea,” she said quietly at first, almost to herself. Then louder, sharper. “I sold seven of my companies just to get my hands on that serum. Seven, Dante. It’s a longevity serum. And I believe it can slow the curse down… maybe even stop it entirely.”

She adjusted herself on my bed, her voice tightening with urgency. “I worked myself into the ground just to get a single bottle of that thing. It’s not about the money. It’s about how rare the serum is—how impossible it is to even find.”

As my mom spoke, I still didn’t understand her. If anything, I was more confused than before.

I let out a dry scoff. “Mom… what are you talking about?”

“Go and get your jacket,” she cut in immediately, her tone firm. “Right now.”

I didn't argue. I walked to where I had dropped my jacket earlier and searched both pockets thoroughly.

Nothing.

I turned around slowly. "Mom. There's nothing here.”

She was on her feet before I even finished speaking. In seconds, she grabbed the jacket from my hands, searching it herself with shaking fingers. When she found nothing, her face collapsed.

“No,” she whispered. “No, no, no—” Her voice broke. “That vial is one of only two produced every four years. Do you understand what that means? I’ve been waiting over a decade for this.”

Her face turned red instantly. “No, no, Dante. I can't lose you like this—” she suddenly slumped down.

“Where did you go? Did you drop it somewhere when you came home?” she cried. “That vial… we must find it. You don’t know how long I’ve been praying for this day. For my hand to touch that serum so I can protect you.”

Tears streamed down her face as she grabbed my hand tightly, desperation slipping through her control. “Where did you go tonight, Dante? Think. Where could you have dropped it?” Her voice breaking, she continued, . “I can’t lose you to the curse. You’re my only son. You must take the serum. Please… tell me what happened.”

I let out a dry scoff and knelt beside her. “Mom, you don’t have to do all of this,” I said, pulling her gently up and guiding her to sit on the bed. My tone stayed casual, almost too nonchalant, like nothing she said could shake me.

Mom ignored me completely. She didn’t answer—she just reached for her phone and called my bodyguard, Shark, at once.

A few seconds later, he was in the room, alert and ready to carry out orders,“Yes, ma’am,” he said, eyes scanning every corner already.

“Search the entire house,” Mom ordered, her voice sharp. “Find where Dante might have dropped that vial. Make sure you check every corner, every room. Don't ignore anyplace! That vial cannot have gone far.”

Shark nodded once, then hesitated for a second as if he was contemplating whether to speak or not.

Then he suddenly said, “It’s possible Boss dropped it when that strange guy grabbed him earlier on the bridge,”

My mother froze, then she suddenly turned slowly toward me, "What strange guy?"

Shark didn’t hesitate He explained—quickly, precisely—the bridge, the sudden attack, the young man who had appeared out of nowhere and pulled me back, the confusion that followed. And the electric moment neither of us had been able to explain afterward.

My mother listened without interrupting.

Then she looked at me again.

"Something like this happened tonight?!" Mom asked, completely stunned, her eyes snapping between me and Shark like she couldn't decide who to be more alarmed by.

"He could have dropped the vial then. That's the most likely moment." Shark added smoothly.

My mother went completely still for a second, processing everything she had just heard. Then something hardened in her expression.

“Find him,” she said finally, turning back to Shark. “Whoever that boy is… find him tonight.”

Shark straightened instantly. “Yes, ma’am.”

Without another word, he turned and left the room, already barking orders as he moved.

“Split into teams. Now.”