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.