The Consortium's Heir

"Hardcore S*x"

Zoe placed two glasses of milk on the round table before taking the empty seat across from Ciel. They had chosen to have breakfast by the poolside that morning. Somehow, eating didn’t feel so lonely anymore now that she had someone to share the table with.

“How was your sleep?” she asked, setting a few strips of bacon and a slice of bread on his plate.

She was very hands-on when it came to feeding him, especially since he had to take nearly ten pills a day. His stomach always had to be full before he took them.

“Not that good,” he admitted. “I had to wake up at 3:30 a.m. to take my medicine. After that, I couldn’t fall back asleep.”

When she found out he had to take medicine that early, she had insisted on being the one to give it to him—but he refused, leaving her no choice but to respect his decision.

“You only need to take that medicine for one more week,” she said, trying to sound cheerful. “Just bear with it a little longer, okay? And if you can’t sleep, you can call me. We can talk. I’ll make you sleepy.” She wiggled her brows playfully, trying to ease the mood.

The more comfortable she became around him, the easier her job would be. Right?

“Why did this have to happen…” he murmured bitterly—just loud enough for her to hear.

Zoe quietly added another slice of bread to his plate, noticing that his appetite was better today. It seemed like he didn’t mind having breakfast with her either.

“It’s because you’re strong,” she said softly. “Anyone else would’ve given up. I reviewed your medical background, and all I can say is—you’re one very strong man, Ciel.”

He lifted his gaze briefly, then went back to eating.

“I salute you for being brave enough to endure everything you’ve been through.”

“It took a lot of strength to fight for my life,” he said quietly. “That was one of the hardest things I’ve ever gone through—to survive. But I’m thankful to be given a second chance. I should be grateful for all the pain, right? Even if I can’t walk… even if I can’t do what I used to love.”

She didn’t know why, but her chest swelled with warmth hearing those words. He was brave, strong, and alive. For her, Ciel Kerrigan was the man.

“That’s what people should always remember,” she said. “To be thankful because we’re alive. Whether we’re happy, sad, or in pain, we should still be grateful—because we’re still here, able to see how beautiful the world is.”

She took a sip of milk, and when she looked up, Ciel was staring right at her. His gaze made her knees weak.

“A-and I believe you’ll walk again,” she added, smiling shyly. “You’ll do everything you want to do.”

“It’ll take a lot of hard work and time before I can walk again.”

“Time passes fast, Ciel. And besides—I’m here. I’ll stay with you and help you until you can walk again.”

“You might get tired of me.”

His negativity only made her want to respond more positively.

“Of course not,” she said quickly. “As long as you still need me, I won’t leave—unless you tell me to. It’s your habit to drive your nurses away anyway,” she murmured under her breath.

Ciel smirked. “Because I don’t like their service.”

So she needed to do her job really well if she wanted to stay.

“That’s why?” she asked.

He nodded. “And they kept trying to flirt with me. The nurses at my friend’s business are all pretty, sure, but they’re not my type—no matter how hard they try.”

“Y-you know the owner of Irving’s Medical Center?” she asked, her eyes lighting up.

Heath Irving was her boss, though she rarely saw him at the hospital. Every nurse there had a crush on him—and she wasn’t an exception.

“Yes, he’s a close friend.”

“Really?” Her curiosity sparked instantly.

“Why? You sound very interested,” he said, narrowing his eyes slightly. “Are you secretly admiring him?” His voice had turned more intense now.

“Everyone admires him. He’s a good doctor and—”

“And he’s about to get married,” Ciel interrupted sharply. “So stop admiring him.”

She blinked, stunned. She didn’t know about that.

“And keep that to yourself,” he added. “It’s private.”

Zoe simply nodded and focused on finishing her meal, pretending not to notice the way Ciel’s eyes lingered on her. His stare made her nervous, though she tried not to show it.

Zoe had wanted to dip her feet into the pool for a while now. The water was always crystal clear, cleaned daily even though no one ever swam in it. She and Ciel often stayed in the pool area because he liked the peaceful atmosphere there.

She’d learned that his two brothers were out of town and that his parents were in Italy, where the Kerrigans had opened a resort. They would be returning in a week.

Zoe walked to the pool’s edge and dipped her hand into the cool water, gently swirling it around.

“Do you know how to swim?” Ciel’s voice came from behind her.

She turned and gave him a small smile. “Yes, I love the water—especially the ocean.”

“Me too.”

“Hmm?”

She sat by the edge, bent her knees, rested her chin on them, and looked at him.

“I love the ocean,” he said, “and everything that has to do with the deep blue sea.”

“Do you really know how to swim?” she teased.

“Of course. It’s one of my favorite sports,” he said proudly.

Curiosity flickered in her eyes.

“But the first time I saw you…” His eyes locked on hers, and she couldn’t quite read the expression there. “You were unconscious.”

What she wanted to say was that he’d looked like he was drowning that night.

“My body was too weak from the pain,” he said simply.

“I guess that’s what led to…” She gestured to his casted leg.

Ciel nodded. “Yes. But I have no regrets about what happened. I’m actually proud of myself.”

She frowned slightly, puzzled. Proud? Why? Was there something special behind what happened to him?

“I’m glad to hear that,” she said softly. “But I do wonder what really happened that night…”

Ciel shook his head. “That’s… very confidential, Z.”

She smiled faintly. He’d been calling her Z lately. Was that his nickname for her? Why did it sound so nice? Her heart always did a little dance whenever he said it.

“So,” she said, trying to think of another topic. Over the past few days, she’d noticed he’d become less irritable. Maybe their conversations were helping. “When you can walk again, what’s the first thing on your list you want to do?”

“To have hardcore sex.”

Zoe’s entire face turned crimson.

Why did he have to be so blunt?!

She covered her face with both hands, feeling the heat rush to her cheeks. She was the one embarrassed here!

“Ciel!”

“What?” His voice was laced with amusement. “You asked. I answered.”

She peeked through her fingers and saw the teasing smile on his face.

“A-aside from h-hardcore s-s*x,” she stammered, the word almost too awkward to say. “What else do you want to do?”

“Swim.”

He looked at the pool, where the blue tiles reflected like a sleeping sea—no waves, just stillness.

“You really love that sport, huh?”

“Yeah. So damn much.” A flicker of sadness passed through his eyes, gone almost instantly. “When I was a kid, all I wanted was to join the Olympics. But my parents never let me—not even once.”

“Why not?”

He gave her a quick glance before looking back at the water.

“They wanted me to focus on school so I could help run the family business—Villa Kerrigan and all that. My parents are strict when it comes to business.”

Her chest tightened slightly at the thought. Should she start preparing herself to meet those strict parents in a week?

“So, you didn’t reach your childhood dream because of them?”

“I didn’t. But what I did afterward really pissed them off.”

“What did you do?” she asked, intrigued.

“That’s when I started my career in the U.S. Navy,” he said, lips curling into a sexy smirk.

God. Why did he have to look that good when he smirked?

Zoe’s mouth parted slightly in awe. His looks were already something—but his job? That made him even more admirable. A man in the military. A real-life hero.

“Wow,” she whispered.

“I let my parents control me when I was younger,” he continued, “but not anymore. With or without their consent, I’ll live my life my way.” His eyes dropped to his injured leg, and a faint, sad smile touched his lips. “Now they blame me for what happened.”

Zoe gently placed her hand on his casted leg and stroked it softly. She knew he couldn’t feel her touch, but he still tensed slightly, surprised by the gesture.

“They’re just worried about you,” she said quietly.

“No, they’re not. I think they’re even glad I ended up like this—so I can’t go back to my job.”

“Don’t think that way. They’re angry because they don’t want to see you hurt—they’re your parents.” Her touch became lighter, soothing.

“They should’ve at least understood what their son wanted,” he muttered. “I won’t let them dictate my life again—not this time.”

Zoe sighed. It was pointless to argue with someone whose mind was already made up.

“It wouldn’t be so bad if you helped run your business,” she offered instead. “There’s water there too, right? You could swim whenever you like.”

“No,” he said firmly. “I don’t want to manage the business. My brothers can do that. I want to continue my Navy career—not sit behind a desk all day doing paperwork.”

His defiance made her purse her lips.

“Let’s stop talking about it,” he said sharply. “My decision won’t change.”

“But remember—your parents love you.”

Ciel groaned, and Zoe bit her cheek to stop herself from laughing. He looked adorably annoyed.

“When you meet my parents, you won’t say that again.”

“You’re so harsh on them,” she said, withdrawing her hand. “Are you the youngest?”

“Yeah,” he muttered. “You?”

“Ahm, I’m the oldest.”

“The oldest are usually the breadwinners. Are you one of them?”

She smiled softly. “Yes. That’s why my job means so much to me. My siblings are still studying.”

“Where are your parents?”

“They’re gone.”

She tried hard not to let the sadness show. She didn’t want pity. Her parents had died just before her college graduation—what should’ve been her proudest day turned into the most painful.

“I’m sorry to hear that, Z.”

She forced a smile. “It’s okay.” The lie rolled off her tongue easily.

“Where are your siblings?” he asked.

Was he actually interested in her life—or just pitying her? She didn’t want his pity.

“Let’s not talk about—”

“Where are they?” His voice was firm, almost commanding.

She swallowed, avoiding his gaze, dipping her fingers into the cool pool water.

“T-they’re at our aunt’s house in the west county.”

“How many?”

“T-three,” she stammered, feeling the weight of his stare.

“They’re all studying?”

She nodded silently. His gaze made her chest tighten.

“And you’re the one supporting all of them?”

“Y-yes,” she said, a small hint of pride in her voice. “Issabel’s in grade school, Chelsea’s in high school, and Ashley’s in college.”

“You managed all that?” There was amazement in his voice.

“Of course,” she said with a teasing wink. “I’ll do anything for them.”

“Summer’s coming soon…”

“Yeah, fewer expenses,” she chuckled.

“You’re away from them. When do you visit?”

She pouted. “Not often. It’s far—and I’d rather send them the money for fare instead.”

“They can visit you here.”

She shook her head quickly. The thought of spending that much money made her wince.

“I’d rather send them the money. We can do video calls—that’s enough.”

“Don’t worry about the expenses. I’ll—”

“Ciel—”

“I’ll pay for their plane tickets,” he said firmly. “You should spend time with your siblings. I’m sure they miss their big sister.”

And with that, he turned his wheelchair around and rolled away—leaving Zoe staring after him, utterly speechless.