The Consortium's Heir

Babe?

Ciel finally felt completely at ease after his doctor’s appointment—the cast on his leg had finally been removed. He could now start training his legs to walk again.

The doctor had firmly advised him not to push himself too hard, or the pain could return. He needed to take things slow and wait until his legs were fully healed.

“Do you want me to tell Serena about your condition? I’m sure she’ll be happy,” Carter asked while driving them home, glancing at Ciel seated beside him in the passenger seat of their gray Land Cruiser.

“Nah, not yet.”

Carter threw him a curious look. “Why not?”

“I want to surprise her.” Ciel leaned his head against the headrest. “I want her to see me walking when we finally meet again.”

“Okay,” Carter replied simply.

A few minutes later, their car entered the villa. Both of them immediately noticed a familiar car parked in the garage.

“They’re here already?” Ciel muttered, half to himself and half to his brother.

“I think so, yeah.”

Carter was the first to get out of the vehicle. He fetched Ciel’s wheelchair from the backseat and helped him down.

When they entered the mansion, they were met by their father, who was watching them both intently. As Ciel suspected, his parents had returned from Italy.

“How’s my son?” his father asked, completely ignoring Carter’s presence.

Being the naturally stubborn one, Carter went straight upstairs without so much as acknowledging their father. The two had been at odds for a while now—a clash of pride and will.

His father blamed Carter for what happened to Ciel, and that was the reason their relationship had soured.

“Better than before, Dad,” Ciel answered.

“What did your doctor say?”

“He said I can start moving my legs again, as long as I don’t overdo it.”

“Good. Your mother will be happy to hear that.” His father glanced around the room as if searching for something—or someone—before his eyes settled back on Ciel. “I’ve been looking for your new nurse.”

“Why?”

“Where is she?”

“I gave her a short leave.”

“Or did you fire her?” his father asked shrewdly, knowing Ciel’s history with nurses he didn’t like.

“No, of course not,” Ciel quickly denied.

He had no reason to fire Zoe. In fact, he liked how she took care of him—she was gentle and patient, almost like she was caring for a baby. Damn, he liked that more than he wanted to admit.

Thinking of her, he excused himself and went upstairs to his room. He could manage by himself, but whenever Zoe was around, he let her assist him—because he liked it that way.

He pulled his phone from his pocket and dialed her number. He wanted to tell her about the doctor’s update—she had every right to know.

“Hey,” he greeted when Zoe answered, but instead of her usual cheerful tone, all he heard were soft sobs on the other end. “Are you okay? Why are you crying—”

“Ciel…” Her voice trembled, confirming she really was crying.

“What happened?” His chest tightened in concern. “Tell me…”

“A-Auntie…” she managed to say before breaking into heavier sobs.

“What about her?” Only faint whimpers followed. Ciel let out a deep sigh. It was frustrating—he wanted to be there for her, to see what was wrong—but his current condition held him back. “Z…” he said softly, trying to calm her down.

“C-Ciel, l-let’s just talk later,” she said between shaky breaths, almost begging for his understanding before ending the call.

Every time Zoe was upset, he felt something stir in his chest. Was it pity? Or something deeper?

x-x-x-x-x

Back to present…

When Zoe arrived at her Aunt Anizza’s house, she immediately began packing her siblings’ things. Her aunt wasn’t home—probably out shopping—but Zoe had already made up her mind: she would move her siblings somewhere safer, far from anyone who could hurt them again.

“Why are you packing?”

Zoe froze at the sharp voice behind her. She turned to see her aunt standing at the doorway, hands on her hips, one brow raised mockingly.

“I’m moving my siblings out,” Zoe said, folding clothes and tucking them neatly into a suitcase.

“Why? They don’t want to stay in my house anymore?”

“I just don’t want them getting hurt again—especially over small mistakes.”

“And what’s that supposed to mean, Zoe? Are you saying I’ve been hurting your siblings?!” her aunt snapped, her voice laced with anger.

Zoe met her glare without flinching. “Haven’t you?” she said firmly. “I won’t let you hurt them again. I worked myself to the bone in New York so my siblings could have a better life. I didn’t do all that just for you to make them feel miserable. If you can’t treat them kindly, it’s better that I take them away.”

“You ungrateful girl!” Her aunt’s face twisted in rage. “I took you all in so you wouldn’t end up on the streets, and this is how you repay me?!”

“Thank you for taking us in,” Zoe said steadily, “but that doesn’t give you the right to hurt them.”

Her aunt stormed into the room, trembling with anger. Zoe braced herself—ready for whatever would happen next—but she wouldn’t back down.

“How dare you talk back to me!” her aunt hissed, raising her hand but stopping short of hitting her.

“I regret ever trusting you with my siblings. I won’t let you hurt them again.” Zoe dragged the suitcases one by one toward the door. “If it were just me, I’d endure it. I’d take the pain. But my siblings? I won’t allow it.” She set the luggage down and faced her aunt. “I’ve worked hard to give them a decent life. I’ve been both their mother and father. You could’ve at least thought about that before laying a hand on them. You don’t know how much it hurt me to learn you did.”

“Don’t you dare talk to me like that!”

“I’m saying this so you’ll realize what you’ve done.” She took out some cash from her wallet and handed it over. “Here’s the payment for rent, water, and electricity.” Then she walked out, luggage in hand.

“You’re ungrateful! It’s better that all of you leave my house!” her aunt shouted after her.

Zoe didn’t look back. She hailed an uber and left with a heavy heart. Her Aunt Anizza was their only living relative—her father’s sister—but she was nothing like him. If only their parents were still alive, none of this would be happening.

At the hospital chapel, Zoe poured out all her pain and frustration. Alone at last, she allowed herself to cry freely.

Earlier, she had held back her tears, but now that no one could see her, she broke down completely. When she was alone, her weak side always surfaced.

After several minutes of sobbing, her phone vibrated. The timing couldn’t have been worse, but at least it stopped her tears for a moment.

Ciel is calling...

She hesitated, wiping her tears before answering. She didn’t want to mix her personal troubles with work.

“Hey,” came his cheerful voice. Lucky him—his only problem was his leg. Hearing him made her chest ache even more, and another sob escaped.

“What happened? Why are you crying—”

“Ciel…” she said his name softly, fighting the urge to pour her heart out about her aunt.

What she needed was someone to lean on—but it couldn’t be him. Who was she to him, anyway? Just his private nurse. Not even a friend.

“What happened? Tell me…” His concern made her cry harder. Damn him for sounding so sincere.

“M-My aunt…” she stammered, trying to speak but failing as more tears fell.

“What about her?” he asked gently.

“C-Ciel, l-let’s just talk later. I’m sorry,” she pleaded before ending the call.

She buried her face in her palms and cried until no more tears came.

Mom… Dad… it’s so hard… but I’ll do my best for you—for my siblings. I miss you so much…

When she was sure she could face her siblings again without crying, she returned to the room where they were waiting.

x-x-x-x-

Days passed quickly. Zoe barely noticed how she managed to find a new place for her siblings—a small apartment close to their school. Their new neighbors were teachers, which made her feel more secure about leaving the kids there.

Issabel had also been discharged from the hospital and was slowly recovering.

“Miss Cruz, please take care of my siblings,” Zoe said to the elderly woman she hired to watch over them.

“Don’t worry, child. I’ll take good care of them,” the woman replied kindly.

Chelsea and Ashley were already at school, while Issabel was resting. Zoe had said her goodbyes the night before.

Standing by the small gate of the apartment with her travel bag by her side, she was surprised when a sleek black car stopped right in front of her.

She ignored it and stepped aside, not wanting to block the way.

But then the tinted window rolled down, revealing a handsome man behind the wheel. His sharp gaze caught hers.

“Hi,” he greeted. “Can I ask you something?”

Her brow lifted slightly. “What is it?”

“I’m on my way to Villa Kerrigan. Am I going the right way?” he asked, pointing ahead. His accent hinted that he wasn’t from around here. “I can’t reach my friend. The signal here is terrible.”

Zoe shook her head. “You’re going the wrong way. Kerrigan State is in the next town—about two hours from here. You’ll need to go back, turn at the end of this street, and drive straight toward the airport. That’s the right route.”

The man sighed and leaned back, closing his eyes for a second. He looked exhausted—probably had been driving for hours. When he opened them again, his gaze dropped to her travel bag and then back to her.

“Are you leaving, Miss?”

“Yes.” She looked up and down the road, hoping for an empty tricycle, but every one that passed was already full.

“Get in. I can drive you out of this street,” he offered.

“No, it’s okay. I’ll wait for a ride.”

“Where are you headed?”

“To Kerrigan State.”

“Oh? So you’re going to the airport?”

She nodded.

“Then let’s go together. Don’t worry, I’m harmless.” He gave her a reassuring smile. “If you keep waiting, you might miss your flight.”

Zoe checked her watch—eleven a.m. Her flight was at two, and the airport was an hour away.

“O-okay, but—”

“No buts, Miss.” He shook his head firmly, then got out of the car. Dressed in a gray long-sleeve shirt and jeans, his broad shoulders and confident stride caught her off guard. “By the way, I’m Blaze,” he said, extending a hand. “And you?”

“Z-Zoe,” she replied, shaking his hand formally.

“I’m not heartless enough to leave you waiting when I can drive you to the airport, Zoe.” Without waiting for her reply, he took her bag, opened the backseat, and placed it there. “Let’s go.”

Something about his calm confidence made her trust him, so she climbed into the passenger seat.

Halfway through the quiet drive, Zoe decided to text Ciel.

To Ciel:

I’ll arrive there tonight.

She was about to put her phone away when it vibrated again. Ciel is calling.

She cleared her throat a few times, glancing at Blaze, who noticed but said nothing.

“Go on, answer it,” Blaze said casually, eyes on the road. “I don’t mind.”

“Ciel?” she said after answering.

“I’ll have someone pick you up from the airport,” he said.

“What? No, that’s not necessary,” she said shyly.

“No,” he insisted. “I’ll send the driver. He’ll wait for you there.”

“Ciel—”

“Babe, who are you talking to?” a flirty female voice chimed from his end. Zoe’s brow furrowed instantly. Babe?

“I’ll call you later,” Ciel said, and the line went dead.

She stared at her phone in disbelief. Ciel has a woman with him? It’s normal for a man like him to have a girlfriend, right?

Then why did her chest ache hearing it?

“Your boyfriend?” Blaze teased, pulling her back to reality.

“N-no. My patient,” she corrected quickly.

“So you’re single?”

“Yes,” she answered absentmindedly, turning to look out the window.

“Here,” Blaze said, handing her his phone.

“What do you want me to do with this?”

“Give me your number.”

“Why?”

“Because we’re friends now. Friends should stay in touch.”

She didn’t move, so he added, “Relax, I’m engaged. I’m not hitting on you.”

That made her blush slightly—he did look like the type who played around. But she eventually took his phone and typed in her number. It was just friendship, after all. Nothing wrong with that.

x-x-x-x-x

Zoe could already see the archway of Villa Kerrigan from the car window—a sign she was almost home. The long trip had been tiring, but the thought of returning to work comforted her.

Ciel’s driver, Al, had picked her up from the airport. Whatever Ciel said, his people followed without question.

“Thank you,” she said as the white SUV stopped in the garage.

Three unfamiliar cars were parked there—perhaps the Kerrigans had guests.

“Welcome back, Miss Zoe!” Esmeralda greeted her warmly.

Zoe laughed softly. When the older woman tried to take her bag, she waved her off.

“I’ve got it. It’s not heavy,” she said shyly. “Uh, where’s Mr. Ciel?”

“At the swimming pool area.”

“This late? He might catch a cold.”

“You really baby him too much,” Esmeralda teased with a chuckle.

Zoe’s cheeks flushed. “I-I don’t baby him. I just want him to recover faster.”

“That’s good. We all want him walking again. His mother was thrilled with the doctor’s report.”

Zoe smiled faintly. She really needed to talk to Ciel about that.

“Alright. I’ll just put my things away first.”

After a quick shower, she changed into pajama shorts and a spaghetti-strap top before heading to the pool area.

She smiled when she saw Ciel sitting by the pool, gazing at the shimmering water under the soft garden lights.

She took a step forward—then froze.

A beautiful, sultry woman had just walked up to him and wrapped her arms around him from behind.

Zoe’s heart clenched as she watched Ciel reach for the woman’s arm, caressing it gently before turning to smile at her.

Zoe stepped back, wanting to leave quietly before they noticed her.

But just as she turned away, she caught sight of them again—Ciel kissing the woman passionately, deeply, like he’d forgotten the world around them.

Her chest tightened painfully.

What a welcome back surprise indeed.