The pain dulls, fading into numbness, as my body sinks deeper into the freezing grip of the sea. No one’s coming for me. No one ever has. Not a single soul—not even the ones who should have loved me. Especially not them.

As the dark waters swallow me whole, a single truth cuts through the cold: this wretched life of mine… it’s finally ending.

Then come the memories—those vicious, rotting fragments I’ve tried so hard to bury. They claw their way back, sharp and merciless.

"Why were you even born? If I’d just killed you the moment you came into this world, our lives would’ve been peaceful."

"You’re going abroad. It’s the only way to protect the company’s reputation. I don’t care what you want. This isn’t a choice."

"Why do you hate me, Meimei? I always saw you as my sweet little sister. I never hurt you. So why… why would you do this?"

"If I ever see you near Ningning again—hell, if I even see your shadow—I swear to God, I’ll kill you myself and feed your corpse to the dogs. You hear me? You’re a monster. A monster in human skin."

"Father, send this filthy bitch away. Abroad. I don’t want Ningning to suffer because of her!"

Their voices echo in my skull like screams trapped in an empty hall. I’m suffocating—not from the water, but from everything they said… everything they never let me forget.

And yet, maybe down here, in this silence… I can finally disappear.

"Meimei, take care of yourself. Wait for me there, I will definitely come and accompany you. I know it's painful... but try to forget everything. It will only bring more sorrow."

"Why does everyone hate me so much? What did I ever do to deserve this? Can't they love me like they love Song Ning...?"

A heavy sigh escaped her lips.

There was never any love for her in that house—only coldness, indifference, and pain. If there was truly a next life, she promised herself, she would never love anyone again. She would never kneel for someone else's affection. She would carry the pain, the scars, and the memories as armor.

"Goodbye... one last time," she whispered as darkness consumed her. "I hope you all live happily without me."

As she sank deeper and deeper into the depths, her final hope was simple: that in her next life, she would never love anyone—so she would never be hurt again.

In a grand, elegantly furnished room, a girl lay on a soft bed. Her appearance was unkempt, her hair sticking to her face with sweat, her brows furrowed as she wrestled with a nightmare that was far too real.

"Miss... Miss! Please wake up! It's Mary... Are you alright? You're sweating... Are you having a bad dream? Miss, please wake up!"

Song Mei's eyes flew open, her breathing ragged. Her entire body trembled as if she'd just emerged from a long, cold tunnel.

"Why... why am I still alive?" she gasped. The last memory she had was of her car plunging off a bridge—then sinking into the deep sea. Her chest had filled with water, and everything had gone black. She should have died. She was sure of it.

Mary, her personal maid, looked at her with worry.

"Miss, are you alright? Please, tell me what's wrong. You look like you've seen a ghost."

"Mary," Song Mei whispered, her voice shaking.

"Yes, Miss? I'm here. What happened?"

"Tell me... today's date. Right now."

Mary blinked. "Uhm... Miss, it's the 25th of August."

Song Mei’s breath hitched. Her heartbeat raced.

"And the year? Tell me the year, Mary!"

Mary tilted her head, puzzled. "Miss, are you feeling pain somewhere? Should I call the doctor—"

"The year, Mary! Just tell me the year!" Song Mei snapped, her voice sharp and desperate.

Mary flinched. "It... it’s 20XX, Miss."

Time stopped.

Song Mei stared into the distance, her fingers curling into the bedsheets. She was back—back in time. Ten whole years.

At first, a jolt of disbelief pierced her, but it was quickly replaced by a wildfire of excitement. The gods had given her a second chance—a miracle.

She could rewrite her story.

She could undo everything.

She could choose revenge over ruin.

And she would.

A fierce light returned to her once dull eyes.

"Mary," she said, her tone strangely calm. "From today onward, you don’t need to serve me anymore."

Mary looked stunned. "W-What? Miss, why? I love taking care of you. Is this because of the nightmare? What’s happened to you? You were perfectly fine yesterday. Please don’t make any rash decisions."

But Song Mei was done listening.

"Tell the butler on your way out that I don't need any maid assigned to me. I’m moving out of this house."

Mary gasped, her eyes widening. "Miss...! You can’t be serious! What are you saying? We must inform Master and Madam at once!"

Song Mei’s cold eyes narrowed.

"Didn’t you hear me? Leave. And don’t come back."

Mary’s lips parted in shock. She had served Song Mei for two years, watched her grow, cried silently when others ignored her, and wished every day for her to be loved. Yet the girl in front of her... was completely different now.

Still, she bowed her head.

"If that is what you truly want, then I will obey. Please, take care of yourself, Miss..."

"You too. Have a good life ahead, Mary."

Mary gave one last glance before leaving the room. She knew in her heart that Song Mei had changed—but she didn’t yet understand how deeply.

As the door closed behind her, Song Mei stood still, gazing at the silent room.

Finally... peace.

This was her wish. To not love anyone. To no longer cry over affection that would never come. In her last life, she had been a fool—sacrificing her pride and soul for fleeting warmth.

No more.

This time, she would be the one who decides. This time, she would change her destiny.

Her rebirth wasn’t a gift. It was a challenge. And she would rise to meet it.

"Let’s begin again, Song Mei," she whispered to herself.

As Song Mei returned to a time ten years ago, she knew this was her second chance—a rare chance to rewrite her fate. Her rebirth had granted her an opportunity to correct her path, to remember every painful detail that led her to her miserable end. This time, she wouldn't be naïve.

"I must remember it all. Every betrayal. Every injustice. Every crack that widened until I fell into an abyss of despair."

Song Mei and Song Ning were the only daughters born into the Song family in over a century. The birth of twin girls should’ve been a grand celebration, but it wasn’t. The family, thrilled with the arrival of their beautiful and delicate firstborn, Song Ning, treated that day as a festival. Song Ning was cherished like a rare jewel.

Aside from the twin daughters, Mr. and Mrs. Song already had three sons. Mr. Song's younger brother also had two sons. In short, the family was full of male heirs—so the arrival of daughters, especially Song Ning, felt like a divine blessing.

Yet, no one in the family—or the public—knew that Song Ning had a twin.

Only the delivering doctor and a nurse knew of the second baby, Song Mei. Due to an undisclosed deal with a desperate couple from a rural village, they secretly gave Song Mei away. The couple had wanted a boy and were furious when given a girl. But the doctor threatened them with legal consequences if they didn’t take her, citing that child kidnapping was now involved.

Scared, they accepted the child. For five years, Song Mei lived as an unwanted burden in a dilapidated farmhouse.

Years later, the same nurse who had orchestrated the swap discovered she had terminal cancer. A superstitious woman, she sought a priest who told her to confess her sins to lessen her karmic debt. That’s when she informed the Song family of their long-lost daughter. And perhaps, she hoped, she'd be rewarded with money in exchange for her confession.

When the Song couple discovered the truth, they were shocked. But they ultimately agreed that the blood of the Song family shouldn’t be left to grow up in obscurity. Grandpa Song ordered them to bring Song Mei back.

However, when they saw Song Mei in person, the couple were overcome with shame and regret. This girl had coarse manners, no sense of refinement, and dressed like a poor farmer. Nothing about her resembled the elite upbringing they had envisioned for their daughters.

Despite their embarrassment, they conducted a DNA test—Song Mei was indeed their biological daughter.

Song Mei’s adoptive parents caused a huge commotion, demanding compensation for raising her. The Song family, more concerned about public image than morality, paid them off under the condition that they never contact Song Mei again.

Confused but hopeful, Song Mei imagined a new beginning. She thought she would finally live a life of comfort, filled with affection, tasty meals, and the warmth of a real family. She never expected this new life to become her prison.

At first, Song Ning welcomed the idea of having a sister. But soon fear took root in her heart. She worried that Song Mei, with her tragic backstory, would steal the spotlight and affection of the family.

She voiced her insecurities to her parents, crying that she didn't want to be forgotten. Of course, the entire family rallied around Song Ning, vowing to protect their delicate angel.

From that day on, Song Mei was treated like an outsider in her own home. A maid was hired to care for her, and she was largely ignored at family gatherings.

Every gaze was filled with scrutiny. Every conversation stopped when she entered the room. And when she met Song Ning for the first time, she felt an overwhelming inferiority complex. Song Ning was beautiful, refined, and adored. She was everything Song Mei wasn’t.

All Song Mei ever wanted was to be treated equally. She didn’t need praise—just acknowledgment. But her quiet desire turned into resentment. That resentment slowly morphed into jealousy, and then it became hatred.

She began to scheme, hoping to bring Song Ning down, but it only pushed her further away from the family. Her brothers even warned her—if she ever harmed Song Ning, they would abandon her completely.

Afraid yet stubborn, she tried harder to make Song Ning suffer. The most recent act? Pushing her down the stairs.

Unbeknownst to her, a hidden camera captured everything.

The Song family was livid. They demanded an explanation. But instead of remorse, Song Mei unleashed years of pent-up frustration.

“You’ve never loved me. None of you. If only Song Ning didn’t exist, maybe then… maybe then I would be the one you cherish.”

Disgusted, Mrs. Song slapped her. Her brothers berated her. Mr. Song turned his face away.

In a fit of despair, Song Mei grabbed a fruit knife from the table and slashed her wrist.

“You want compensation for Song Ning? Fine. Here's my blood. Is that enough?”

Mrs. Song screamed. The room erupted in panic.

“You disgust me,” Song Shaoting spat.

“Where did you dig up this revolting trash?” Song Feng snarled.

And so, Song Mei became the villainess. The disgrace. The unwanted.

She remembered nothing after that except darkness. The blood loss had rendered her unconscious. When she awoke again, it was to this moment—reborn, rewound, and ready to rewrite everything.

“Ah… so today is the day I’m supposed to confront Song Ning and be ordered to kneel before her. I refused last time, and they threw me into the ancestral hall for three days—no food, no water.”

She shook her head. “I’m not doing that again. What was I thinking back then? Fighting for the scraps of their affection? Letting them trample over my pride?”

Not this time.

It had been two years since she joined the Song family at age 14. That was two years of rejection, humiliation, and fake smiles. Her hatred had fermented into something sharp and cold. It no longer consumed her. It fueled her.

School was no better. She never hid her complicated feelings toward Song Ning. The result? Everyone turned against her. They protected their so-called angel like she was heaven-sent. Song Mei had become the villain in their perfect fairy tale.

“Protect her all you want. I don’t care. I’m done listening to your hypocritical nonsense.”

Today, she would start by ending this forced drama.

She selected a simple yet elegant outfit—one that reflected her inner transformation. In two years, they’d tried to polish her like a diamond, force elegance into her bones, erase her countryside roots.

Ironically, they succeeded. But not the way they imagined.

She looked into the mirror.

“Hmm. Nice choice, Song Mei. You’re ready to go.”

KNOCK KNOCK.

“You may come in.”

“Miss Mei, Elder Mr. Song and Mrs. Song are calling you to the main house,” the butler announced politely.

“I’m coming. You can go now,” she replied calmly.

The butler was startled by her composed tone. So was she, a little.

As she stepped out of her room and into the hallway, Song Mei whispered to herself:

“It’s time to change your awful destiny.”

At the grand Song family mansion, tension clung to the air like a heavy fog. The entire family had gathered in the drawing room, murmurs echoing from one side to the other.

“Grandpa, I don’t want Meimei to apologize to me,” Song Ning said, her voice soft and pleading. “She’ll feel embarrassed in this situation. Can’t you just forgive her instead?”

“Oh heavens, why is the world so unfair?” Song Lei scoffed with exasperation. “Ningning, you are too kind to your evil sister. But she still needs to apologize properly so she’ll never dare commit such a heinous act again.”

“Yes, Ningning,” Song Feng added, frowning. “You wouldn’t believe how she acted that day. There was no guilt in her eyes after trying to push you down the stairs. And you’re her sister! How can anyone be that heartless?”

From across the room, more judgment piled on.

“Sister, you really need to teach Song Mei a lesson. She’s causing havoc already, and she’s only sixteen. What will she become in the future?” said Leng Xiaoxiao, Song Lei’s mother and Song Ning’s aunt.

“I’m just as worried, Xiaoxiao,” Mrs. Song replied with a sorrowful shake of her head. “One child of mine is so sweet and bright, while the other... The darkness in her heart scares me. I’m genuinely afraid she might hurt someone again. I’m even afraid to go near her.”

“Enough with all this gossip,” Elder Mr. Song snapped. “Do you want outsiders to hear us and spread rumors? Maintain decorum!”

At that moment, the butler entered the room and bowed respectfully.

“Sir, Miss Song Mei is waiting outside.”

“Bring her in,” the elder commanded.

“Right away, sir.”

The butler returned moments later, opening the door. “Miss Song Mei, you may enter now.”

“Okay,” Song Mei said coolly, her voice void of any emotion.

As she stepped into the room, a storm of gazes landed on her—some filled with disdain, others with thinly veiled disgust. She held her chin high, eyes unwavering.

Stare all you want, she thought. None of you matter anymore. You’re all just trash to me now.

Elder Mr. Song began the interrogation. “So, Song Mei, I heard you told your maid Mary not to serve you anymore. Did she do something wrong?”

“No,” Song Mei replied calmly. “Mary didn’t do anything wrong. I just got bored of seeing the same face for two years. So, I told her not to appear before me again.”

“Impudent!” Elder Mr. Song thundered. “Stop being such a brat! Why can’t you learn from your sister Ningning?”

He took a deep breath and then declared, “Forget it. Apologize to Ningning. Kneel in front of her and ask for forgiveness. If you refuse, you’ll be locked in the ancestral hall for three days without food or water.”

Ha... just apologize. That’s easy.

Song Mei took a step forward, eyes glinting coldly. She dropped to her knees in front of Song Ning.

“I apologize to Song Ning for pushing her down the stairs. I won’t do it again. Please forgive me, everyone,” she said in a clear, steady voice.

Gasps rippled through the room. She was calm—too calm.

“Are you satisfied with my apology, Elder Mr. Song?” she asked politely. “I’ve given it my all. Please accept it.”

Elder Mr. Song blinked in surprise. “Good... It’s good that you understand your mistake. You’ve behaved well today and didn’t cause trouble. You may ask for anything today.”

“I want something, Elder Mr. Song,” she said.

“What is it? And why ‘Elder Mr. Song’? You used to call me ‘Grandfather.’ What happened?”

“I’m in no position to call you that anymore. I’m too tired, sir. The thing I want... is to move out of this mansion. I can’t live here any longer.”

The room fell into stunned silence.

“What nonsense is this? Move out? What’s gotten into you?” Elder Mr. Song’s voice trembled.

“Everyone hates me here. And I hate Song Ning to the core,” Song Mei declared. “I can’t control my hatred. If we’re forced to live under the same roof, I don’t know what I might do. If anything happens to her, it will be my fault.”

“You dare threaten us like that?” he roared. “Are you blackmailing us with your temper?”

“No, that’s why I want to leave. I don’t want to hurt anyone again. I’ve wasted my love on this family for two years. I won’t waste another moment. Please let me go.”

Mr. Song had been silently listening from outside the room. The weight of her words stunned him.

“She’s possessed,” Song Feng muttered. “she’s dangerous! What if she harms Ningning again?”

“Meimei,” Song Ning stepped forward with trembling lips. “Don’t talk like this to your family. We’re blood. Big Brother will be furious if he hears what you’re saying.”

I hate you, Song Ning.

“I hate you to the core, Song Ning,” Song Mei said, staring her sister dead in the eye. “That hatred led me to push you. That hatred lives in me. We can’t be near each other.”

Mr. Song finally entered the room, voice quiet yet final. “You want to move out?”

“Yes, sir,” she responded.

“Fine. The butler will arrange everything. If you ever want to come back, you can.”

“I won’t. I will never come back,” Song Mei replied.

“Are you going crazy? Dad, how can you allow this?” Song Feng exploded in frustration.

“Let her go,” Mr. Song said solemnly. “She’ll learn the value of family once she’s alone.”

“Thank you for allowing me to leave. I’ll go pack my things now,” Song Mei said.

She walked away, leaving the room in complete silence, eyes wide, mouths agape.

In her room, she began to pack. Her school uniform. Some plain clothes. A couple of shoes and flats.

Then she paused. She pulled out a small diary filled with her original dress designs.

In her previous life, she had left this diary behind. After moving abroad, she discovered her designs had been published—under Song Ning’s name. When she confronted the Song family, they dismissed her.

“She’s your twin sister,” they said. “What’s the difference if it’s her name or yours?”

That day, Song Mei lost her rights, her dignity, and her dreams.

But not this time.

Now, she was going to show the world what Song Mei could do without this so-called family’s support. She zipped up her suitcase and stood by the door, her head held high.

The old Song Mei was dead. The new Song Mei would rise. Alone. And unstoppable.