Rebirth: My CEO Husband's Thoughts Are Too Shameless

Clara had just stepped out of the car and was about to enter the house when a loud voice stopped her in her tracks.

"Clara!"

Her gaze snapped toward the man, instantly turning ice-cold.

"Get him," Dominic ordered calmly.

Before Alex could get anywhere near her, Dominic’s men restrained him.

(This useless leech again. Of all times, he chooses now to show up. Where was he when Clara was waiting for him? Didn’t he care how exhausted she must have been?)

Clara’s eyes widened slightly at her husband’s unfiltered thoughts.

Then Julian’s words from earlier resurfaced in her mind.

Back then, in her previous life, Alex had appeared before her bruised and battered. Without questioning anything, she had foolishly believed every word her stepsister fed her and blamed Dominic for Alex’s injuries.

But now, after hearing Dominic’s thoughts, she realized the truth.

Alex had never even gone to the airport.

A bitter smile tugged at her lips.

How foolish was I? I actually slapped Dominic for hurting Alex without even listening to his explanation once.

"Clara, look what he did to me!" Alex cried dramatically. "His men kidnapped me from the airport and beat me."

Just like before.

Every word was exactly the same as it had been in her previous life.

Only this time...

She wasn’t that naïve girl anymore.

Back then, she had rushed to his side, ordered the guards to release him, and accused Dominic without hesitation. She had stood in front of Alex to protect him, completely unaware that his injuries were nothing more than part of an elaborate act to drive a wedge between her and her husband.

"That’s a lie—"

Mark stepped forward, unable to hold back any longer.

A single glance from Dominic silenced him.

Mark clenched his fists.

He knew Alex had never intended to go to the airport. The man had been comfortably wasting time at home until he realized Clara had already left with Dominic.

Yet when Dominic looked at him, Mark swallowed the words that were on the tip of his tongue.

Alex pursed his lips before continuing his pitiful act.

"Clara... I’m sorry I couldn’t make it to the airport in time. It’s all because of him. He kidnapped me and locked me up. I barely managed to escape so I could come find you."

His eyes filled with carefully rehearsed grief.

"I couldn’t leave you alone with a man like him."

Alex was convinced Clara would believe him.

She always had.

All he needed to do was keep playing the victim.

Throughout his performance, Clara remained silent.

She simply stared at him.

"Let him go," she suddenly said.

Dominic turned toward her, surprise flickering across his usually impassive face.

(She still doesn’t get it... He’s manipulating her all over again.)

Despite the thought, he didn’t stop her.

The guards looked toward Dominic for confirmation.

He gave a slight nod.

"Boss—"

Mark tried to object but fell silent as Clara slowly walked toward Alex.

Relief flashed across Alex’s face.

He knew it.

Clara still loved him.

"Clara..." he said softly, stepping closer. "This man is dangerous. Don’t worry, I’m not afraid of him. We’ll report everything to the police. I’ll make sure he pays for what he’s—"

Smack!

Silence fell over the courtyard.

Everyone froze.

Mark’s eyes widened.

(...What the hell just happened?)

Even Dominic was momentarily stunned.

He had expected Clara to defend Alex.

Never in his wildest imagination had he expected her to slap him instead.

His gaze sharpened.

(Why...?)

Alex slowly turned his face back toward Clara, disbelief written all over it.

"You..."

"You dare insult my husband?" Clara asked coldly.

Her indifferent gaze sent a chill down Alex’s spine.

For the first time, panic crept into his heart.

"Clara... what are you doing?" he stammered. "I’m Alex... your Alex. How could you hit me?"

Still refusing to believe it, he reached out to grab her shoulders.

Before his fingers could touch her—

Smack!

The second slap landed even harder.

Alex staggered backward.

Clara had never been weak.

Love had simply blinded her.

It had made her ignore every warning sign, trust Alex unconditionally, and wound Dominic over and over throughout their marriage.

She had even gone as far as ending the life of her own unborn child because she couldn’t bear having Dominic’s baby.

Yet through all of it...

Dominic had never stopped protecting her.

While she had plotted his downfall alongside Alex, she had unknowingly been walking toward her own destruction.

"And that," Clara said icily, "is for trying to touch me."

Her voice was so cold that no one dared interrupt.

"Remember this."

She took one deliberate step closer.

"I am a married woman. Touch me again..." Her eyes narrowed dangerously. "...and I’ll make sure you never use that hand again."

The courtyard fell deathly silent.

Dominic remained expressionless.

Only his thoughts betrayed him.

(Did... my wife just acknowledge that she’s married? Did she actually call herself my wife?)

Hearing his thoughts, Clara couldn’t help but blink.

A faint smile almost escaped her lips.

Without another word, she walked over to Dominic and gently wrapped both hands around his arm.

"Darling," she said softly, "please take this man away. I have nothing left to say to him."

Dominic looked down at the hand holding his arm.

For a brief moment...

His mind went completely blank.

(She’s... holding my arm on her own?)

Alex’s face turned pale.

"Clara!" he shouted desperately. "I know you’re angry because I couldn’t make it to the airport, but you have to believe me! He kidnapped me! He planned everything! He’s the reason we were separated!"

Clara didn’t even spare him another glance.

Instead, she rubbed her aching temple.

"Darling," she sighed, "my head hurts. Can we end this quickly?"

The tenderness in her voice snapped Dominic back to reality.

His expression immediately turned cold.

"Take him away."

The guards didn’t hesitate.

Ignoring Alex’s frantic screams, they dragged him toward the gate.

"No! Clara! Clara, listen to me! You’re making a mistake!"

His voice gradually faded into the distance.

Only when complete silence returned did Clara finally let out a slow breath.

This time...

No matter what tricks Alex played or how pitiful he acted, she would never allow him to manipulate her again.