Rebirth: My CEO Husband's Thoughts Are Too Shameless

Evening soon arrived, and Dominic wrapped up his work before leaving the company. He didn’t even spare Mark a glance as he climbed into the car and shut the door behind him.

Ever since Clara had left with nothing more than a short text, he hadn’t been able to reach her. Every call went unanswered, and every message remained unread. It was almost as if she were deliberately avoiding him.

And that thought unsettled him more than he cared to admit.

Meanwhile, Mark didn’t waste any time dwelling on his boss’s strange behavior. Instead, he pulled out his phone and called Hannah.

”I need to see you,” he said the moment she answered.

Back inside the car, Dominic stared at Clara’s message for what had to be the hundredth time.

The words hadn’t changed.

Unfortunately, neither had his anxiety.

With a defeated sigh, he locked the screen and opened another tab on his phone.

How to coax your wife into forgiving you.

He frowned.

Too formal.

He typed again.

How to apologize when your wife wants to murder you.

Still not convincing.

His fingers moved once more.

How to stop your wife from beating the living daylight out of you after you royally messed up.

This time, countless articles popped up.

Dominic skimmed through them one after another.

”Communicate openly.”

”Be honest about your feelings.”

”Buy flowers.”

”Cook her favorite meal.”

”Give her space.”

He rubbed his temples.

”I’ve already tried talking... she won’t answer. If I give her more space, she’ll probably move to another country.”

The driver bit the inside of his cheek, pretending he hadn’t heard a single word.

Another article appeared.

Grand romantic gestures always help.

Dominic narrowed his eyes.

”Always?” he muttered suspiciously. ”Who even tested that theory?”

He scrolled farther.

”Surprise her with something meaningful.”

”Hmm...”

For the first time that evening, his expression softened.

”Maybe this one has a chance.”

He looked up at the driver.

”Take the next turn toward Clint Street.”

”Yes, sir.”

The driver immediately changed direction.

Dominic leaned back in his seat, still looking unconvinced.

He had never been the romantic type. Buying flowers, planning surprises, or making grand gestures had always seemed unnecessary.

But this wasn’t just anyone.

This was Clara.

And if becoming hopelessly romantic was the only way to earn her forgiveness...

Then so be it.

He only prayed the internet knew what it was talking about.

Because if it didn’t...

He had a strong feeling Clara would be using him as her personal punching bag before the night was over.

***

While Dominic was busy coming up with ways to improve Clara’s mood, the atmosphere at the Pearl Mansion was the complete opposite.

Jonathan couldn’t stop praising his daughter-in-law.

”You really are something else, Clara,” he said, shaking his head in amazement. ”How did no one recognize you? That disguise was unbelievable!”

Clara let out a dramatic sigh.

”Not no one, Dad. Dominic recognized me... and so did Hannah.”

She had spent hours perfecting that look. Different hairstyle, makeup, clothes—even the way she carried herself had changed. She had confidently walked out of the house believing she was practically invisible.

Yet somehow, the two people she least expected had figured her out almost instantly.

Grace chuckled proudly.

”My son really is a genius.”

Jonathan immediately turned toward his wife with a look of mock offense.

”And what about my daughter?” he argued. ”Didn’t you hear Clara? Hannah recognized her too. Clearly, talent runs in our family.”

Grace folded her arms.

”Oh please. Dominic figured it out first.”

”Hannah did it without spending her entire life with Clara.”

”My son is more observant.”

”My daughter has better instincts.”

”My son—”

”My daughter—”

Clara pinched the bridge of her nose before either of them could continue.

”Excuse me?” she interrupted. ”Can we focus on the important part here? I got exposed in less than five seconds!”

She had never intended to hide the wedding from Dominic forever. She simply wanted to tell him afterward in the most casual way possible. Something along the lines of...

”Oh, by the way, I attended a wedding today.”

Not...

”Your husband stormed into the wedding because he discovered his wife was secretly there causing chaos.”

There was a huge difference.

”...”

Jonathan and Grace slowly turned to look at each other.

After a few seconds of silent communication, they both nodded seriously.

Grace cleared her throat. ”Well... we weren’t praising them.”

”Exactly,” Jonathan agreed with an innocent expression. ”We were merely acknowledging their exceptional observation skills.”

Clara stared at the two of them.

”That’s literally the definition of praising.”

Both of them awkwardly looked away.

Grace suddenly clapped her hands as if she had remembered something important.

”Oh! Speaking of which...” She looked at Clara curiously. ”What brings you here today?”

Jonathan blinked.

”That’s true.”

Although Clara was always welcome at the Pearl Mansion, she usually called before dropping by. Showing up unannounced was... unusual.

For a brief moment, Clara fell silent.

She looked at the couple sitting across from her before taking a deep breath.

”I’m going underground for the rest of the day.”

Jonathan frowned.

”...Underground?”

Grace looked confused.

”What are you, a secret agent?”

Clara nodded with complete seriousness. ”Exactly.”

The old couple exchanged bewildered glances. Then Clara added matter-of-factly,

”I’m disappearing until your son realizes his mistake.”

The living room instantly fell silent.

Jonathan slowly lowered the teacup in his hand. Grace blinked twice.

Both of them looked at Clara...then at each other...before the exact same thought flashed through their minds.

’What on earth did Dominic do this time?’

***

”What did you say?” Dominic frowned. ”Clara is staying at the Pearl Mansion tonight?”

The moment he stepped into the house, he was greeted with the unexpected news.

Not only had Clara gone to the Pearl Mansion, but she had also left a very specific message.

Dominic Sterling was not allowed to come looking for her.

”...”

The servants quietly exchanged glances.

One of the maids looked at the items in Dominic’s hands before whispering to another.

”Poor Master...”

”What?”

”He actually came home with a surprise for Madam.”

The other maid’s eyes widened.

For someone as serious and work-obsessed as Dominic Sterling, seeing him carrying a bouquet of flowers, a cake, and even heart-shaped balloons was enough to make everyone’s jaw drop.

Who would have thought their cold and intimidating boss had such a... embarrassingly sweet side?

Unfortunately...

The surprise had arrived.

His wife had not.

Standing nearby, Butler James cautiously stepped forward.

”Um... Master, shall I take those?”

Dominic remained frozen for a second before silently handing everything over.

”The balloons too?” James asked.

Dominic gave him a flat look.

”...Especially the balloons.”

Without another word, he walked upstairs.

Fine.

If she wants to ignore me, then let her.

He had spent the entire day thinking of ways to make Clara smile again, only to find out that she had escaped to his parents’ house—and even issued an order banning him from following her.

The more he thought about it, the more annoyed he became.

All he wanted was to make up with his wife.

Was that really such a difficult mission?

After taking a quick shower, Dominic changed into fresh clothes.

The moment he stepped out of the bathroom, Butler James was already waiting outside the bedroom.

”Master, dinner is rea—”

”I’m not hungry.”

Before the old butler could finish, Dominic walked straight past him and headed toward his study.

James watched his master’s retreating figure before letting out a long, helpless sigh.

”Young Master...” he muttered, shaking his head. ”You can fool everyone else, but not me.”

Then a grin slowly spread across his face.

”Stop acting stubborn and go bring Madam home.”

Unfortunately... the only person who needed to hear that had already slammed the study door shut.

***

Two more hours slipped by, yet neither Mark nor Hannah noticed the time.

They had talked about everything and nothing at all, laughed over old memories, and stolen countless kisses in between. Somehow, even after spending the entire evening together, it still didn’t feel like enough.

Now they stood beside Hannah’s parked car, neither of them making the slightest move to leave.

Hannah refused to let go of Mark’s hand.

Her fingers remained intertwined with his as though, the moment she released him, the evening would come to an end.

”I don’t want you to leave,” she admitted softly, pouting ever so slightly.

Mark smiled, gently rubbing circles over the back of her hand with his thumb.

”Neither do I.”

His simple reply made Hannah look up at him with wide, doe-like eyes.

”Really?”

Mark chuckled.

”Really.”

He leaned forward and brushed a loose strand of hair behind her ear.

”If I had my way, we’d probably still be standing here tomorrow.”

Hannah burst into laughter.

Their eyes met, and for a brief moment, neither of them spoke.

Finally, Hannah stepped closer until there wasn’t even an inch separating them.

”You know...” she whispered, looking up at him. ”I never imagined the guy who secretly liked me for years would turn out to be this clingy.”

She paused before leaning in until their lips barely brushed.

”But I can’t seem to get enough of him.”

The moment those words left her lips, Hannah captured his mouth in a deep, lingering kiss.

Mark didn’t hesitate for even a second.

His hand slid gently around her waist as he returned the kiss with the same affection, smiling against her lips as though he had been waiting years for moments like this.

Neither of them noticed the world around them. Or the footsteps approaching unless...

”Holy shit...”

The sudden voice made both of them freeze.

”...Are you two actually together?”

Startled, Mark and Hannah sprang apart.

The instant they saw who was standing there... both of their jaws dropped.