Rebirth, Seduce My Ex-husband-Chapter 73: Soaked

Rowen caught Vanessa just as she stumbled forward. For a moment, she didn’t say anything. She just stayed in his arms, breathing in the familiar scent of him, letting the tension ease a little. When she finally looked up, her eyes were soft, tired, but clear.

"I wasn’t going to come," she said quietly. "But I heard Tara’s voice... and I couldn’t stay away."

Rowen looked at her, no anger in his eyes this time. Just regret. "I shouldn’t have raised my voice at you."

Vanessa shook her head. "You were scared. I was too. But Rowen... don’t ever doubt my love for that girl. She’s mine, even if people try to act like she’s not."

Rowen nodded slowly, guilt written all over his face. "I know. I do. I just... I need to start trusting you more, not letting every word people throw get to me."

There was a beat of silence before he pulled her into a proper hug.

"Let’s take care of her together," he whispered.

Vanessa smiled into his shoulder. "We already are."

**

The next morning, Vanessa was up early, checking Tara’s temperature, feeding her carefully, brushing her hair, and even sitting to tell her stories. Rowen came in with a soft knock on the door, holding a tray with sliced fruits and tea.

"You’re both up early," he said, placing the tray on the side table.

Tara grinned weakly. "Mama said we’re having a princess morning."

Rowen chuckled. "Then the princess should eat."

Vanessa stood and wiped her hands. "She’s much better. No signs of a reaction anymore."

"That’s good," Rowen said. "Because we have a bit of a thing today. I have some business guests coming over. We’re holding a small gathering at the backyard, near the pool. Light food, drinks, talk, just to keep everything smooth with our investors."

Vanessa nodded. "I’ll handle everything. Don’t worry."

He smiled. "I trust you."

**

By midday, the backyard had transformed. Tables were set with fresh linens, drinks lined up on the bar cart, and a soft string of music floated through the garden. Vanessa moved gracefully through the place, giving last-minute instructions to the maids, checking each table setting, and greeting early guests with a polite smile.

She wore a soft cream dress, elegant but modest. She looked like the lady of the house—because she was.

Then, like a shadow in daylight, Stacy showed up.

Heels clicking on the patio stones, her black gown tight against her belly. A few guests turned to look, unsure whether to smile or frown. She didn’t belong, and it showed.

Vanessa spotted her instantly, and her smile dropped.

Walking over calmly but firmly, she stopped a few feet away from her.

"What are you doing here, Stacy?" Vanessa asked, voice low but sharp.

Stacy pretended to be shocked. "What? I can’t come to a gathering at my child’s father’s home?"

"This is my home," Vanessa said, jaw tight. "You’re not his wife. You’re carrying his child, yes. But that doesn’t give you the right to show up at events you were never invited to."

Stacy smirked. "Oh, I just thought it’d be rude to miss something this... special. You’ve done a lot of work. Must be exhausting playing hostess and wifey all the time huh."

"You don’t belong here," Vanessa repeated, eyes narrowing. "Go back inside or leave. But don’t come out here trying to pretend you’re part of this."

Before Stacy could respond, a few people approached with drinks, and Vanessa stepped away, leaving her fuming.

But Stacy wasn’t done.

She stood at a corner, watching Vanessa talk to Rowen’s guests, helping Tara sit with the other kids, laughing softly. She couldn’t stand it.

It should’ve been her.

She waited.

Waited until Rowen stepped away to take a phone call. Waited until most eyes were distracted by a toast someone was giving. Then she moved.

Vanessa was standing near the pool, giving a drink to one of the guests, her back half-turned. Stacy marched up behind her.

"Still showing off?" she hissed quietly.

Vanessa turned slowly. "I told you to go back inside."

"And I told you, this isn’t over," Stacy snapped. "You may be the wife, but you’re not the one carrying his child."

Vanessa stepped closer. "And that doesn’t make you his woman. So stop acting like it."

"Everyone sees you trying so hard to fit," Stacy said, smiling sweetly. "But we both know you’re barely hanging on."

"You’re the one showing up uninvited," Vanessa shot back. "Dragging your swollen stomach to a party you weren’t even asked to join. What are you trying to prove, Stacy? That you still matter?"

Stacy’s eyes burned.

"Y-you!" She adjusted herself, "You were once a wicked wife!"

"And yet," Vanessa said, stepping into her face, "he married me."

The air cracked between them.

With a sudden motion, Stacy shoved Vanessa. Caught off guard, Vanessa stumbled—and Stacy lost her balance too. They both went crashing into the pool with a splash that stopped the music and sent gasps flying from every direction.

Guests stood, mouths open, unsure whether to help or not.

Rowen rushed forward, eyes wide. For a second, he stared at both women struggling in the water—but his decision was fast. He pushed past the poolside, dove in, and headed straight for Vanessa.

He pulled her up and helped her out of the water, setting her gently on the ground, holding her shoulders.

"Are you okay?"

Vanessa coughed, nodding. "Yes... I’m fine."

Stacy, still in the water, screamed, "You left me! Rowen, I’m pregnant! How could you?!"

He looked back at her, face hard. "You pushed my wife into the pool. Don’t make it about the baby."

Some staff helped Stacy out of the water, but her anger exploded the moment her feet hit the ground.

"She tried to drown me!" Stacy shouted. "She tried to push me and hurt me and my baby!"

Vanessa stood, drenched but calm. "You’re lying."

"She pushed me!" Stacy screamed again.

A few people whispered in the crowd, clearly unsure what to believe.

Rowen stepped forward. "Enough, Stacy. Everyone saw what happened. You attacked Vanessa. You fell because you pushed her."

"But the baby—"

"I care about the baby," Rowen said sharply, "but that child won’t be used to hurt people. Not my wife. Not Tara. Not anymore."

The crowd went silent. Stacy’s eyes filled with tears, but no one moved to comfort her.

Vanessa stood tall, wet hair dripping down her back, but her eyes were clear, her face steady.

Rowen turned to her. "Let’s get you inside."

She nodded.

And as they walked back toward the house together, Stacy watched them—dripping, defeated, and full of hate.

This wasn’t over.

But Vanessa had won—for now.

***

After the whole incident, the party sure ended earlier than expected as Rowen helped to draw Vanessa.

"I’m sorry about earlier, I tried to hold myself from causing any drama but Stacy always has a way doing something stupid."

Vanessa said, anger obviously visible in her face as Rowen just sighed.

"It’s alright, I had already bagged the deal before the whole drama so there was no causalities.m just be careful next time, Stacy is unpredictable.. I wonder what she would do next?"

He said as just then, some maids walked with Mariam beside them, "Rowen! Rowen! Come quick!"

She shouted, her face looking worried and Afraid.

Rowen and Vanessa immediately stood up, worried it had anything to do with Tara but to their surprise, it wasn’t Tara but Stacy.

"Mariam what’s wrong?" Vanessa asked, worried.

"W-well.. after Stacy was taken to her bedroom, she started to burn up...her body temperature is increasing, we really need to take her to the hospital unless the baby-"

She stopped as Vanessa sighed, facing Rowen, "You should take her to the hospital, Even though she deserves what she’s getting we can’t risk her child. She’s pregnant and is in the most crusal stage.. nothing should be overlooked."

Rowen nodded as he kissed Vanessa on the forehead, "Take care of yourself.. I’ll be backs soon."

"Hmm."

With that, Rowen took his car keys and left with George as he took Stacy straight to the hospital.

---

Vanessa watched the car disappear into the night, her heart heavy but calm. She knew Rowen wasn’t going to the hospital because he cared for Stacy—at least, not in the way Stacy wanted. He was going because of the child. Because that’s who he was. A man with responsibility on his shoulders, even when it didn’t favor his emotions.

Mariam touched her shoulder. "Will you be okay, Vanessa?"

Vanessa gave a small nod. "Yes. Just check on Tara for me. Make sure she’s still asleep."

As Mariam left, Vanessa finally allowed herself to sit. Her gown was still a little damp from the earlier chaos, her hair half-dried from the rush of the evening. She leaned her head back against the wall, letting silence fall over the house.

But her peace didn’t last long.

A light knock came at the front door. Not urgent, not loud just soft and steady. Vanessa frowned, checking the time. It was almost 10 p.m. Who could it be?

She opened the door slowly.

Standing there was a woman. Mid-fifties, neat scarf on her head, her eyes sharp and focused.

"Good evening," the woman said, her tone polite but firm. "Is this the residence of Rowen Quinn?"

Vanessa’s brows furrowed. "Yes... and you are?"

The woman smiled faintly. "My name is Clarice. I’m Stacy’s mother."