Rebirth, Seduce My Ex-husband

Here's your edited version with more depth and flow while maintaining the word count:

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Vanessa's eyelids fluttered open slowly as her vision adjusted to the bright, sterile environment around her. The sharp scent of antiseptics filled her nostrils, confirming what she already suspected—she was in a hospital.

She tried to sit up, placing a weak hand against her forehead, but a sharp pain shot through her back, making her wince.

"Ouch!" she gasped, her voice weak yet enough to stir Linda, who had been dozing off on the couch near her bedside.

The moment Linda's eyes landed on her daughter, relief washed over her face, and she quickly stood up, rushing to Vanessa's side.

"You're finally awake. Thank goodness," she breathed, her voice thick with emotion.

Vanessa blinked, confusion clouding her pale face. "M-Mom? What am I doing here? And—" Her breath hitched as sudden panic surged through her. "Tara! M-m-mom, where's Tara? Is she alright? How is she?!" she blurted out, her tone frantic.

Linda's lips curled into a reassuring smile as she smoothed Vanessa's disheveled hair. "Calm down, sweetheart. Tara is perfectly fine. She's in the next ward, just beside yours. Rowen brought her here for a check-up, and she fell asleep."

A deep sigh of relief escaped Vanessa's lips as the tension in her shoulders eased slightly. But even so, the need to see her daughter overpowered her exhaustion. Ignoring the dull ache in her body, she attempted to swing her legs off the bed.

Linda immediately stepped in, trying to support her. "Where do you think you're going? You haven't fully recovered. You should rest a little longer."

Vanessa shook her head, determination burning in her eyes. "You don't expect me to rest when my daughter is just a few meters away, do you? I have to see her with my own eyes, make sure she's really alright."

Linda sighed but didn't argue further. Supporting Vanessa's weak frame, she helped her out of the room.

When they arrived at Tara's ward, Vanessa hesitated outside the door. Through the small glass window, she spotted Rowen sitting beside their daughter's bed, gently patting her head as she slept.

For a moment, Vanessa froze. A whirlwind of emotions swirled within her as she debated whether to step inside or not. Just as she gathered the courage to reach for the door handle, an unwanted voice sliced through the air.

"And where do you think you're going, Vanessa?"

Vanessa turned her head, her brows furrowing at the sight of Rachel approaching with a smug expression.

"And who the hell are you?" Vanessa asked, irritation flickering in her voice.

Rachel scoffed, folding her arms across her chest. "Oh, you'll know soon enough. I'm about to take your place." She leaned in slightly, her lips curling into a wicked grin. "The name's Rachel, and soon, I'll be Rachel Quinn."

Vanessa's jaw clenched, but she didn't let her emotions show. She knew who Rachel was—a spoiled brat, nothing more than her mother-in-law's pet project, someone who had always dreamed of marrying into the Quinn family.

Dismissing Rachel's presence, Vanessa turned back toward the door, reaching for the handle once more.

But Rachel wasn't done. She stepped in front of Vanessa, blocking her path. "And where do you think you're going?" she demanded.

Vanessa exhaled sharply, her patience thinning. "Unless you're blind, it should be obvious. Now move," she snapped, pushing Rachel's hand away.

The tension crackled between them, but before another word could be exchanged, the door to the ward swung open, and Rowen stepped out.

His sharp gaze flickered between Vanessa and Rachel, his expression darkening. "What the hell is going on here?" His voice was calm yet carried an edge of authority.

Rachel wasted no time. The moment Rowen appeared, she gasped dramatically and threw herself to the ground, fake tears streaming down her face. "Baby, look! That witch pushed me!" she wailed, gripping his arm as if seeking comfort. "I was just trying to keep her away from Tara's room, but she attacked me!"

Rowen sighed in exasperation, his patience clearly wearing thin. Without a word, he pried Rachel's hands off him, his expression void of interest.

Before he could say anything else, a soft voice called from inside the ward.

"Mommy?"

Vanessa's heart clenched. Without hesitation, she pushed past everyone and rushed inside, her focus solely on the tiny figure sitting up in bed.

"Tara!" she breathed, tears welling in her eyes as she enveloped her daughter in a tight embrace. Tara clung to her just as tightly, her small body trembling.

Tears streamed down both their faces as they held each other, their sobs muffled against each other's shoulders.

Standing by the doorway, Rowen observed the scene in silence. A strange emotion twisted inside his chest. He had imagined this moment countless times—Vanessa showing genuine care for their daughter. And yet, for the past seven years, she had been nothing but distant and cold.

Why now?

Why did she suddenly seem like a mother who loved Tara beyond words?

If she was capable of such affection, then why had she acted so cruelly all these years?

Rowen's gaze flickered to Rachel, his expression shifting to one of mild disgust. Dressed in an over-the-top designer outfit, her face caked with heavy makeup, and the overpowering scent of her perfume choking the air, she looked completely out of place in this moment.

Turning to George, his assistant, he gave a simple order. "Send Miss Benson home."

George immediately complied, escorting Rachel away despite her loud protests and complaints.

**

After Tara had finally drifted back to sleep, only Vanessa, Rowen, and Linda remained in the room. Sensing the heavy atmosphere, Linda excused herself and stepped out, leaving the former couple alone.

Silence stretched between them, thick and uneasy.

Vanessa swallowed, feeling the weight of his gaze on her. She didn't know what to say, but the guilt in her chest was suffocating.

So, for the second time that night, she blurted out the only words that came to mind.

"I'm sorry."

Rowen regarded her for a moment before letting out a dry chuckle. Slowly, he removed his glasses, revealing those piercing blue eyes that always seemed to see right through her.

"You're starting to make a habit of apologizing, Miss Owen," he mused, his tone indifferent. "But let me remind you—I don't need your apology. I told you before, I don't care about you."

His words were sharp, but what followed stung even more.

"However, for Tara, that's a different story."

He stepped forward slightly, his gaze steady. "Tara still cares about you—more than you deserve. I don't know where this sudden motherly concern of yours came from, but for her sake, I hope it's real. I hope you treat her well."

Vanessa felt a lump form in her throat, but she said nothing.

Glancing at his wristwatch, Rowen noted the time. It was already late. Without another word, he gently lifted Tara into his arms.

As he turned to leave, he hesitated for the briefest second before saying, "Never throw yourself into danger like that again. Otherwise… I'll never forgive you."

And with that, he walked away, leaving Vanessa standing there, watching his retreating figure.

A faint smile ghosted her lips.

She was so tired.