ログイン~~~Ronan~~~Mornings always come with too much to handle, and today was no exception, contracts to review, a merger clause Zander wouldn't stop needling me about, three separate calls I had to field before I'd even finished my coffee. I told Zendaya she could take one of the cars if she wanted to go out, mentioned it casually at breakfast like it was nothing more than a courtesy.What I didn't mention was that I had two of my men trailing her the second she left the estate.Not because I was keeping tabs on her, exactly. I know Nash and Piper. I know exactly what kind of desperate, cornered animals they've become since getting thrown out onto that lawn, since realizing their leverage over her is slipping faster than they anticipated. People like that don't just fold quietly, they lash out, grasp for anything resembling control. She's my wife now. Which means her safety isn't optional, isn't negotiable, isn't something I'm willing to leave to chance just because she insists she can han
~~~Zendaya~~~The second we step outside, the cool afternoon air hits my face, and I exhale a long, satisfied breath, the tension of the last hour finally bleeding out of my shoulders."Well." Ronan glances down at me, amusement dancing in his eyes. "That was quite a show.""You started it," I point out, shifting the shopping bag in my hand. "Showing up like that. Kissing me in front of everyone.""You're welcome." He smirks, utterly unrepentant. "Seemed like exactly what the situation called for."I roll my eyes, though I can't quite fight back the small smile tugging at my mouth. We reach his car, Nathan already holding the door open, and I slide into the passenger seat, Ronan rounding to the driver's side a moment later."So." He starts the engine, glancing sideways at me as we pull away from the curb. "Was any of that actually for me? The shopping, I mean." His eyes flick briefly to the bag resting on my lap. "Or should I be worried you were buying gifts for someone else entirely.
~~~Zendaya~~~"Please—" Her voice cracks, hands trembling where they're clasped in front of her. "Mr. Wilder, please, I'm begging you, I have a family, I didn't mean any disrespect, I just— I didn't know, I swear I didn't know who she was—""That's precisely the problem," Ronan says, voice flat, unmoved. "You shouldn't need to know who someone is to treat them with basic respect. The fact that you only care now that you realize she's my wife tells me everything I need to know about how you actually run this floor."The entire crowd's gone dead silent now, phones still angled, clearly capturing every second of the manager groveling on the marble floor.Piper's trembling beside her, color completely drained from her face, eyes darting frantically between Ronan and the entrance, like she's debating whether making a run for it is somehow a viable option at this point.Nathan pulls out his phone, already dialing, voice low and professional as he steps slightly away. "Mr. Vance, Mr. Wilder
~~~Zendaya~~~Every head in the showroom whips toward the entrance at once.Ronan steps through the doors first, dark suit immaculate, one hand casually tucked into his pocket, the other loosening his tie slightly. Nathan trails close behind him, flanked by two hefty bodyguards whose sheer presence alone seems to suck the air right out of the room, their expressions unreadable, eyes scanning the showroom with quiet, deliberate precision.An easy, dangerous smirk pulls at Ronan's mouth as he strides forward like he owns the place, which, I realize belatedly, glancing around at the subtle Wilder Holdings branding stamped discreetly on a wall plaque near the entrance, he very possibly does. Or maybe a partner.Piper's face goes bone white.Nash actually stumbles backward a full step, nearly knocking into the display case behind him."Mr. Wilder—" Nash stammers, voice cracking entirely, all previous bravado evaporating instantly. "I— we didn't— I mean, sir, I wasn't aware you'd be—"Ronan
~~~Zendaya~~~The manager's expression shifts, something uncomfortably close to belief settling across her features as she glances between us. "Ma'am," she says, turning toward me, "is that true? Do you actually have the funds to cover the items you've selected?"My mouth drops open slightly, pure disbelief washing over me. A short, incredulous laugh escapes before I can stop it."Are you kidding me right now?" I stare at her, genuinely stunned. "What the hell is going on here? Is this seriously how you treat your customers? You're taking the word of your own employee, who's been nothing but rude, over mine, without a single shred of actual evidence?"The manager's expression doesn't waver. "Forgive me for being blunt, ma'am, but Piper has worked here for quite some time, and she's always been exceptional with our clientele. This is the first complaint of this nature I've ever received against her."Piper's lips twitch, victory shining openly across her face now, practically glowing w
~~~Zendaya~~~My stomach drops. Great. Just what this already circus of a shopping trip needed.Nash strides closer, confusion quickly morphing into something more calculating the second he spots Piper standing beside me, the two of them exchanging a brief glance loaded with unspoken understanding."Well, well." Piper's smirk sharpens instantly, some of her earlier humiliation visibly washing away now that reinforcements have arrived. "Speak of the devil. Nash, baby, you'll never guess who decided to grace us with her presence today."Nash's eyes flick over the display items still sitting on the counter the watch set, the cufflinks before landing back on me, something smug creeping into his expression despite the earlier surprise."Shopping for yourself, Zen?" His voice carries that familiar condescension, the kind he used to wield so effortlessly before I had him thrown out of his own stolen mansion. "Must be nice. Especially considering everything you owe us.""She claims she's mar







