Rebirth: My CEO Husband's Thoughts Are Too Shameless

Meanwhile, in the groom’s changing room, Eric sat comfortably on the leather couch, a glass of wine in hand as he chatted with his friends.

"Dude," Nate said, swirling the whisky in his glass, "are you seriously marrying Ruby because you love her?"

Despite getting beaten up by Clara the last time they met, Nate hadn’t learned to stay out of other people’s business. Though, if he were being honest, he still found himself thinking about that crazy woman every now and then.

Jacob chuckled.

"Nate, are you serious?" he said. "Of course Eric loves her. Haven’t you seen them together these past few months?"

Nate frowned but remained unconvinced.

Eric finished the last sip of his wine before placing the empty glass on the table. Rising to his feet, he adjusted the sleeves of his crisp white tuxedo and admired his reflection in the mirror.

He looked flawless.

Today was his wedding day. Not something he had ever envisioned for himself.

But given the current state of the Harper family, marrying Ruby Vance was the smartest move he could make. She wasn’t just his fiancée—she was his family’s best chance at regaining everything they had lost.

For a brief moment, Hannah’s face flashed through his mind.

The smile on his lips faded.

Then, just as quickly, he dismissed the thought and straightened his tie.

"Love isn’t meant for people like me, Nate," Eric said calmly. "In business, emotions are a liability. You make decisions based on what benefits you in the long run... and right now, Ruby Vance is the greatest asset I could ask for."

Nate stared at him, genuinely surprised.

Jacob frowned. "But Ruby told everyone you’re marrying her because you love her."

Eric let out a quiet laugh. "She’s too naive." He walked over to the window, his smile growing colder.

"Just because we’ve been sleeping together doesn’t mean I’d actually fall in love with her."

Jacob’s expression stiffened. Eric continued without the slightest hint of guilt.

"She’s simply the key to getting the Swan family back on its feet. Ever since Sterling family cut every business tie with us, we’ve been struggling. Marrying into the Vance family solves that problem."

His face darkened at the memory. The humiliation still burned.

Never in his wildest dreams had he imagined Hannah would secretly gather evidence of all his affairs and expose him. Overnight, his engagement had been destroyed, his reputation tarnished, and every opportunity connected to the Sterling family had disappeared.

But now... everything was different.

The engagement with Hannah was over.

No more pretending. No more restrictions.

Once he married Ruby, he could live however he pleased without worrying about anyone questioning him.

A satisfied smile appeared on his face.

Just then, a knock sounded at the door.

"Come in."

A member of the hotel staff stepped inside and bowed respectfully.

"Mr Nate, Mr Jacob, your parents are looking for you."

The two exchanged glances before standing.

Nate walked over to Eric and patted him on the shoulder.

"You’ve clearly made up your mind," he said. "So... congratulations. I hope everything works out for you."

He had genuinely believed that losing Hannah would’ve forced Eric to reflect on his mistakes.

Apparently, he had been wrong.

All Nate could do now was hope his friend wouldn’t make another mistake he couldn’t recover from.

Because if Ruby ever discovered she was nothing more than a stepping stone... the consequences would be far worse than losing Hannah.

After the two men left, silence filled the dressing room.

Eric loosened his cufflinks and looked at himself in the mirror once again.

A few moments later...

Knock.

The door opened without waiting for permission.

"So..."

A deep, composed voice echoed through the room.

"The groom is finally ready."

Eric turned toward the entrance. For a split second, his expression froze.

Then, an amused smile slowly curved across his lips.

***

Inside the kitchen, Clara and Lily stood frozen in front of a mountain of potatoes.

No... calling it a mountain would have been an understatement.

It looked more like the entire harvest of a farm had been dumped onto the counter.

The two women exchanged speechless looks.

"..."

"..."

Clara slowly picked up a potato and stared at it as though it had personally offended her.

"Lily," she said with a deeply troubled expression, "do I honestly look like someone who was born to peel potatoes?"

Lily glanced at the potato, then at Clara.

"...No."

"And what exactly is Chef Jaden planning to do with this many? Feed the entire country?"

Lily let out a helpless sigh. "He probably is feeding the entire wedding."

Clara dramatically clutched her chest.

"I came here to investigate, not to start a career as a professional potato peeler."

She had been so confident earlier. She thought her disguise, cheerful attitude, and brilliant smile would impress Jaden enough for him to assign her somewhere important.

Instead...he had escorted both her and Lily to a separate prep room...pointed at a mountain of potatoes...handed them two peelers...and walked away.

The audacity!

Lily looked at Clara with teary eyes.

"Madam..."

"Hm?"

"We were perfectly happy in our own kitchen."

"..."

"So why did you drag both of us here?"

Clara opened her mouth. Then closed it again.

For a brief second... she questioned every decision that had led her to this moment. But only for a second.

The next moment, determination returned to her eyes. She slammed both hands dramatically onto the counter.

"Absolutely not!"

Lily jumped.

"I refuse to let a few potatoes defeat me."

"...They’re more than a few."

"Details."

Clara narrowed her eyes at the pile.

"I didn’t sneak into this wedding just to spend the entire day peeling vegetables."

Lily had a very bad feeling about this.

Whenever Clara smiled like that... someone’s peaceful day usually came to an end.

Clara suddenly stood up.

"Lily."

"Y-Yes?"

"I need to use the restroom."

Lily blinked. "...Now?"

"Very urgent."

"I can wait for you."

"No." Clara patted her shoulder with a solemn expression. "Stay here."

Then she pointed dramatically at the mountain of potatoes.

"Protect them."

"..."

"And peel them properly."

Lily’s eyes widened. "W-What?" Before she could protest, Clara had already slipped out of the room.

"M-Madam!"

"..."

Lily looked at the potatoes. Then at the empty doorway. Then back at the potatoes.

Her shoulders slumped.

"...She escaped."

With a miserable sigh, Lily picked up another potato.

"Why do I always end up doing the work while Madam goes on adventures?"

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