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.