Rebirth: My CEO Husband's Thoughts Are Too Shameless

While Clara was having a mental breakdown over the long queue outside her bakery, the man responsible for it sat comfortably in his office.

Dominic rested his chin on one hand as he silently admired the cookie in front of him.

It wasn’t just any cookie. It was a cute bear-shaped cookie with the word "Dear" piped neatly across the icing.

For some reason... he couldn’t bring himself to eat it.

Mark stood quietly beside the desk, watching his boss with a deadpan expression.

Ever since the meeting that morning, his worldview had completely collapsed.

First, President Sterling had answered his wife’s phone call in the middle of an executive meeting. Then he had adjourned the meeting early.

And after that...he had personally instructed the cafeteria to replace the afternoon snacks with cookies from Madam’s bakery.

As if that wasn’t enough, he had ordered several gift boxes to be sent to business partners "as a token of appreciation".

Mark had initially thought that promoting Madam’s bakery around the company was already embarrassing enough.

Clearly...he had underestimated his boss. Now Dominic was sitting there, smiling ever so slightly at a cookie, completely unaware that someone was watching him.

Mark covered his face.

I didn’t sign up to watch my boss become this lovestruck. Where is the terrifying CEO who made thirty executives question their careers this morning?

Taking a deep breath, Mark cleared his throat. "Ahem."

No response.

"Boss, these are the reports you asked me to collect on the Swam Group."

Still nothing.

Dominic’s attention remained on the cookie.

Mark’s eye twitched. Am I... invisible? He cleared his throat again, this time louder.

"AHEM!"

Nothing.

Mark felt like crying. I’m his assistant... not office wallpaper.

Just as he was debating whether he should cough loudly enough to alert the entire building, Dominic finally spoke.

Without even looking up, he asked quietly, "Mark..."

Mark’s eyes lit up.

"Yes, Boss?"

Dominic continued staring at the cookie.

"...Do you think Clara would be happy if I bought every cookie she baked today?"

Mark froze.

"..."

"..."

For a full ten seconds, he forgot how to blink.

...What?

Dominic finally looked up, genuinely waiting for an answer.

"If I buy them all..." He frowned thoughtfully. "...would she think I’m supporting her...or would she think I don’t believe customers will buy them?"

Mark stared at him as though he’d just heard the most difficult business question in human history.

This... This was the man who negotiated billion-dollar contracts without hesitation. And now he was seeking advice on the emotional implications of purchasing cookies.

Mark took a slow breath.

"Boss..."

"Yes?"

"...Have you considered just asking Madam what she’d prefer?"

Dominic fell silent. A few seconds later, he nodded seriously.

"That’s a good idea."

Mark’s shoulders slumped.

...He actually considered my suggestion.

Just then, Dominic picked up the little bear cookie again and smiled faintly.

"It’s too cute to eat."

Mark looked at the ceiling.

Dear heavens... Please bring back the cold, emotionless President Sterling.

This version is giving me emotional damage.

Just as Dominic was about to tell Mark to buy every last cookie from Clara’s bakery, he suddenly stopped.

His fingers, which had already reached for his phone, froze midair.

A thoughtful look crossed his face.

(...No.)

(Clara specifically told me not to interfere with her business.)

His brows furrowed.

"If I secretly buy everything... she’ll definitely find out. And if she finds out...

Dominic’s expression grew unexpectedly serious.

"...she might refuse to reward me."

He slowly lowered his phone back onto the desk.

(No.)

(The reward is more important.)

Mark’s expression became increasingly complicated.

...Reward? What reward? Do I even want to know?

Dominic remained completely absorbed in his thoughts.

(I should wait.)

(If her business succeeds on its own... she’ll probably be happier.)

(Then maybe... she’ll take the initiative tonight.)

The tips of Dominic’s ears turned faintly pink.

Mark blinked. Then he blinked again before rolling his eyes.

At that moment, Dominic finally lifted his head. His face had already returned to its usual cold, expressionless state.

It was as though the lovestruck man from a few seconds ago had never existed.

"Mark."

"Y-Yes, Boss."

"Continue."

"...Continue what?"

"The report."

"Oh... right."

Mark hurriedly opened the file. But before he could read the first line, his gaze drifted toward the innocent little bear-shaped cookie on Dominic’s desk.

Then back to Dominic. Then back to the cookie.

...Unbelievable. Five minutes ago, this man was deciding the future of a multi-billion-dollar project. Now he’s worried his wife might cancel his reward because he bought too many cookies.

Mark looked up at the ceiling with lifeless eyes.

Somebody... Anybody... Please save me.

I’m witnessing the downfall of the most terrifying CEO in the country...

...all because he fell hopelessly in love with his wife.

***

By the time evening arrived, almost everything in the bakery had been sold out.

The display shelves, which had been overflowing with cakes and pastries that morning, now held only a handful of items.

Everyone finally let out a sigh of relief.

"I can’t believe we actually survived today," Lily said as she stretched her sore arms.

"My feet don’t even feel like they’re mine anymore," Silvia groaned, leaning against the counter.

Gen laughed while organizing the remaining delivery boxes.

"I’ve already taken a few deliveries on my route," she said, checking the addresses on her phone. "But this one..."

She frowned.

"...is completely in the opposite direction."

Clara walked over and took the delivery slip from her.

After reading the address, she nodded.

"Oh, this is on my way home."

She picked up the cake box.

"I’ll deliver it."

Both Lily and Silvia immediately looked at her.

"But, Madam—"

"How can we let you do the delivery?" Silvia protested.

"You’re the owner," Lily added with a dramatic gasp. "Owners don’t make deliveries."

Clara raised an eyebrow.

"Oh?"

"They’re supposed to sit in the office looking mysterious while the employees do all the work."

Lily nodded seriously.

"Exactly."

Clara couldn’t help laughing.

"Then I guess I’m a terrible boss."

She lightly tapped Lily’s forehead with one finger.

"I’m the reason all of you have been running around nonstop today."

She looked at the exhausted expressions on everyone’s faces.

"You’ve worked hard enough. It’s just one delivery. I’ll be back before you know it."

Gen hesitated.

"Are you sure?"

"Of course."

Clara smiled as she picked up the cake box.

"Besides, after standing behind the counter all day, I could use a drive."

Lily crossed her arms. "That’s suspicious."

Clara blinked. "What is?"

"You smiled."

"...So?"

"You only smile like that when you’re secretly happy."

Silvia immediately nodded.

"True."

Gen joined in with a grin.

"Madam isn’t delivering a cake. She’s looking for an excuse to go home early and see Mr. Sterling."

Clara nearly choked.

"W-What?"

"I am not!"

Lily covered her mouth dramatically.

"Look! She’s blushing!"

"I’m not blushing!"

"You definitely are."

"I’ve been standing next to the oven all day!"

"That’s why my face is red!"

The three women exchanged knowing looks.

"Mmm..."

"Sure."

"Whatever you say."

Clara looked at the three of them speechlessly.

"You’ve all become impossible after just one busy day."

She picked up the cake box before anyone could tease her further.

"Let’s go," she said, walking first, followed by Lilly and Silvia.