The Consortium's Heir

Shattered To Pieces

“Have breakfast with us,” Ciel said, staring at her intently.

Zoe was checking his medicines to see if they would last another week. If not, she planned to buy more later when she went to town to send money to her siblings.

It had been several days since Ciel and his fiancée had their last argument, and every day that Zoe saw Serena, they couldn’t help but throw cold glances at each other.

“I’m fine, Ciel. I’ll just have breakfast with Esmeralda later.”

She took the prescription and slipped it into the pocket of her white nurse uniform. Honestly, she didn’t have to wear it anymore, but she just felt more comfortable moving around in it. White top, white pants, and white shoes.

Ciel stood up from the sofa. She gave a small smile; even without her help, he could now stand on his own, though they still made sure he had support whenever he walked.

“Are you going to town later?”

“Yes. I’ll go to the bank and I’ll also buy your medicines while I’m there.”

“I’ll have someone drive you.”

She nodded, not protesting.

“Eat before you leave,” he said.

She looked at him. They were only about an arm’s length apart. He was really tall—broad-shouldered, his frame solid and commanding. Even at her height of 5’7, she still felt small before him.

“You go ahead. I’ll just finish arranging your medicines,” she said, avoiding his gaze and turning back to the tablets and capsules on the side table.

“Are you avoiding me, Z?” His tone made it sound like an accusation.

She furrowed her brows to deny it, but in truth, yes, she was avoiding him.

Why?

Because she was scared. Scared that if she let herself get any closer to him, he would completely shake her heart. Scared that she might forget he was her boss…and that he was soon to be married.

Her chest tightened painfully at the thought of him tying the knot soon.

“If I were avoiding you, I wouldn’t be standing here in front of you,” she whispered.

From the corner of her eye, she noticed him step closer. She could almost smell his clean, masculine scent.

“Then look at me.”

She stopped fiddling with the medicine kit and turned to face him. Her knees almost gave out when she saw the intensity of his stare. His gaze made her heart weak and utterly hopeless.

If only she didn’t know he already had a fiancée, maybe she could have allowed herself to hope. But that hope had long been extinguished the moment she learned he’d been in a long-term relationship.

She met his gaze despite the pain pounding in her chest.

“What?” Zoe lifted an eyebrow, pretending to be unaffected.

Ciel sighed. “Why do you have to be so cold?” His frustration almost came out as a groan. His handsome face looked pained.

“I’m not…” she said softly.

“Tell me…” His voice dropped lower, gentle, as he reached out to hold her hand. The touch sent tremors through her entire body. “…Did Serena do something to you again?”

She shook her head. Serena hadn’t tried anything since the last time and Zoe would make sure it stayed that way.

Ciel’s warm, broad hand brushed against her arm, and the heat of it spread through her veins.

“I—I won’t let your fiancée hurt me again.” The bitterness in her voice slipped out before she could stop it.

When she looked up, she saw amusement flicker in his eyes, but it was shadowed by something heavier.

“Tell me if she ever tries again, alright?”

His thumb traced the faint scratch marks on her arm…Serena’s doing. The wounds had dried, but the four long marks still stood out clearly.

“I can defend myself. She’ll probably tell on me first,” Zoe snapped.

He chuckled quietly at her defiance.

“That’s my girl! Feisty.”

She pouted. Why does he keep claiming me like that? There’s no reason…no right for him to.

“I am not your girl,” she whispered.

Without warning, Ciel gently pulled her out of the room, his hand resting firmly at her elbow. He didn’t let go, even inside the elevator.

She grew anxious as they reached the dining area; some of the house staff had noticed the way he held her arm, as if he refused to let her go.

“Ciel, let me go,” she said softly as they neared the kitchen.

He didn’t listen until they reached the dining table.

His parents were already there, along with Carter. Serena was also present, glaring daggers at Zoe, who immediately looked down in embarrassment.

This man will get me in trouble one day!

“Ciel, sit down,” Mr. Kerrigan said.

Ciel guided her to the opposite side of the table, where two seats beside Carter were empty. He pulled one out for her…drawing the attention of everyone in the room.

Mortified, Zoe couldn’t move. Walking away now would be rude.

Ciel sat beside Serena, where he belonged. Watching him so close to that woman made Zoe’s heart ache with jealousy.

Sitting there among the Kerrigans made her painfully aware of how wide the gap was between her and Ciel.

That she should stop hoping.

That she didn’t belong in his world.

And most of all, that whatever feelings were blooming in her heart; they could never be.

It was painful, but it was the truth she had to accept.

She didn’t belong to Ciel. She wasn’t the woman for him.

If only she had reminded herself of that the moment she first stepped into Villa Kerrigan. But her heart was stubborn. No matter how much she tried to suppress it, her feelings still escaped.

“Zoe,” Mr. Kerrigan addressed her.

“Y-yes, sir?”

“What do you think is the reason for Ciel’s fast progress in walking again?”

Her gaze shifted to the man staring directly at her. She cleared her throat before answering.

“Given that Mr. Ciel is physically strong—”

“Drop the ‘Mr.,’ Z.” Ciel frowned at her.

She ignored him, especially since she could feel his mother’s eyes on her.

“—Aside from the medicines helping, I believe it’s his determination to walk again. That’s why his recovery has been this quick.”

“And I know it’s all because of me, right, babe?” Serena chimed in, leaning sweetly on his shoulder. Zoe’s chest tightened painfully, but Ciel said nothing.

“Another possible reason,” Zoe continued, forcing a smile, “is that he has something—or someone—to be inspired by. When a patient has the motivation to do something meaningful, it often speeds up their recovery, no matter how serious their injuries are.”

Mr. Kerrigan nodded, seemingly pleased.

“How about you helping my son? Why didn’t you include that?”

That question came from Mrs. Kerrigan. Zoe smiled politely, though the woman intimidated her more than her husband did.

She wore a beige formal dress, adorned with diamonds on her ears, neck, and finger—nothing too flashy, but her presence commanded respect.

Zoe knew she didn’t belong here, but she tried to remain composed.

“I don’t see myself as one of Ciel’s inspirations to walk again,” she replied politely. “The times I’ve assisted him, reminded him to take his medicine, helped him eat, and tolerated his stubbornness; that’s all part of my job.”

Her eyes flicked toward Ciel, whose face darkened as his grip on the utensils tightened.

“At the end of the day, it’s still Ciel’s determination, and the support of those he loves, that helped him recover this fast.” She smiled faintly, hiding her bitterness.

It was an honor to share a table with the Kerrigans, one of the most respected families in society, but she wished it wouldn’t happen again. The whole experience only reminded her how out of place she was.

“That’s why we’re here,” Serena said confidently. “I’m his strength. I’m here to support him, especially now that he can walk again.” She lifted her chin proudly and shot Zoe a smug look.

Zoe ignored her, quietly finishing her meal. She didn’t want to talk to Serena. Every conversation with her turned into a fight. And if that happened again, Zoe promised she wouldn’t let herself be the one who ended up hurt.

x-x-x-x-x

Zoe was about to get into the black SUV when she saw Ciel hurrying toward her.

“Wait,” he said, slightly breathless.

She watched as he approached; steady but clearly having rushed. Sweat beaded his forehead. Without hesitation, she took a handkerchief from her bag and wiped his sweat away. He straightened up at her touch. It wasn’t the first time she’d done that, but for some reason, he looked startled.

“I want to come with you to town,” he said once he’d calmed his breathing.

She slipped the handkerchief back into her bag and looked up at him.

“Is there something you want me to buy for you, Ciel?”

He shook his head like a child, glancing toward the open SUV door where the driver waited.

“I’m bored here. I want to see something new outside the villa.”

And why was she even questioning it? He didn’t need her permission anyway.

“F-fine. Let’s go.”

He let her enter first before sliding in beside her. Once the door closed, the car began to move.

Silence filled the ride for a few minutes. Occasionally, their arms or legs brushed from the movement of the car.

“I saw you earlier…” she said.

“Hm?”

“Don’t push yourself too hard, Ciel. Even if your fiancée insists.”

She’d seen him with Serena earlier at the pool, walking laps despite his condition.

“I only did it to please her,” he admitted.

She clicked her tongue. “Doesn’t your leg hurt now? You must’ve felt some pain after that.”

“A bit. But I feel better now,” he assured her.

“I’ll massage your leg when we get home. You’re so stubborn,” she muttered.

“Sorry…” he said softly, almost like a little boy.

Her heart went wild. Just one sorry and she was undone.

“Y-you don’t need to apologize, Ciel.”

“I just don’t like it when you worry about me,” he said in that deep, raspy tone that made her melt.

She tried not to smile but couldn’t stop the warmth blooming in her chest.

“Then don’t be so hardheaded,” she teased.

“But I like it when you scold me,” he murmured.

She didn’t know what to feel anymore. Mostly, she felt giddy and she hated that she couldn’t simply brush it off.

He stretched one arm along the seat behind her, so casually it almost looked like he had his arm around her.

“So you like it when I get mad at you?” she pouted. What a strange man.

Then his arm slid slightly, his fingers brushing her shoulder. When she looked up, their eyes met…and her breath caught.

A small smirk curved on his lips as he leaned closer, lowering his face to hers until their lips were only inches apart.

“I don’t usually take lectures from anyone,” he whispered, his breath ghosting over her lips, “…but with you, I’ll gladly accept everything that comes from you—”

Before she could react, the driver suddenly hit the brakes…and their lips met.

It was a brief kiss, but her heart pounded so violently it hurt.

“What happened?!” Ciel asked the driver, unfazed by what just happened.

“There was a kid crossing the road, sir,” the driver replied, glancing at the rearview mirror.

They both looked outside and saw a little boy now safe on the sidewalk.

“Is the kid okay?” Zoe asked.

“Yes, ma’am. Looks like his mother’s there now.”

They watched a woman approach the boy, scolding him gently.

“Let’s go,” Ciel said, and the car started moving again.

A few minutes later, they arrived in town. Zoe went to the bank while Ciel and the driver waited in the van. After depositing the money for her siblings, she bought Ciel’s medicines.

Less than an hour later, she returned. Only the driver was there.

“Where’s Ciel?” she asked.

“He said he needed to buy something, Miss Zoe.”

After a few minutes, she spotted him walking toward them, wearing black sunglasses and a white cap, looking every bit like a model out in public. Heads turned. People whispered. Women giggled and stared.

“Did you get everything you needed?”

She hadn’t even noticed he was beside her until he spoke, brushing a loose strand of hair from her face.

“Y-yeah,” she stammered, forcing a smile. Her mind went blank for a second, caught in his charm. “W-what about you? What did you buy?”

Her eyes fell on the black paper bag in his hand. She recognized the brand…it sold jewelry, mostly rings.

She didn’t wait for his answer. She climbed into the van, followed by Ciel. He set the paper bag beside him, as if it didn’t matter much.

“You’re getting married soon, huh?” she whispered, her voice trembling as though something inside her had tightened painfully.

Ciel glanced at her briefly, his face unreadable. Then he looked forward again…and slowly nodded.

Yes.

Yes, he will get married.

That’s when she realized…her heart was quietly shattering into pieces.