Chapter 16

Song Yanyan's POV:

Days had been going by in a blur, and today, this "mummy dearest" was all riled up, getting ready. I could see that fake-ass smile plastered on her face - her precious daddy was coming home. Meanwhile, I sat in the living room, scrolling through my phone after school, while Song Yangyao and this evil mother were seated across me. 

Ugh, this mother-daughter duo really got on my last nerve. If they weren't family, I would have gladly knocked those smug, screwed-up grins right off their faces.

Song Yangyao piped up, "Sister, aren't you happy Dad's coming back home?"

I raised my head slightly, shrugged my shoulders, and continued playing my game. Ain't nobody got time for that fake family love nonsense.

"Why are you ignoring your sister? Shouldn't you be focusing on your schoolwork? Exams are coming soon," my mother chimed in, her tone dripping with disdain.

Song Yangyao snickered, "As if she cares about school, Mom. That's why she always fails."

I rolled my eyes so hard, I thought they might just roll right out of my head. These two had a special talent for getting under my skin. But hey, if they wanted a piece of the Amber, I was more than happy to oblige.

"Aw, look at you two, playing happy family. Tell me, Yangyao, how does it feel to be the golden child, huh? Must be nice, knowing dear old Mummy and Daddy love you more than their firstborn." I flashed a saccharine smile, my words laced with venom.

"And you, Mummy Dearest, still trying to live vicariously through your precious little princess? Can't stand the fact that your firstborn ain't the perfect, obedient little doll you wanted, can you?" I scoffed, my eyes narrowing.

"Well, hate to break it to you, but newsflash - I ain't that girl. I'm my own person, and I sure as hell don't need your approval or validation. So why don't you two take your little family bonding session and shove it where the sun don't shine?" 

With that, I rose from the couch, tossing my phone aside, and stormed off to my room, leaving a stunned and seething Yangyao and my mother in my wake. Ain't nobody got time for their fake, dysfunctional family drama.

As I stomped into my room, slamming the door behind me, I couldn't help but feel a twinge of bitterness wash over me. This family - if you could even call it that - was just one big mess of dysfunction and resentment.

I flopped down on my bed, staring up at the ceiling as I let my thoughts consume me. The way my mother and sister treated me, it was like I was some sort of unwanted burden, an outsider in my own home. The favoritism towards Yangyao was so painfully obvious, it made my stomach churn.

I thought back to how Song Yangyao had slipped my host those Prozac pills without her knowledge. I am sure she had simply chalked it up to this girl's twisted sense of "sisterly love." But now, the more I replayed it in my mind, the more I wondered if my mother had been in on it. The way she turned a blind eye to Yangyao's antics, the way she never really seemed to care about my well-being - it all started to make a twisted kind of sense.

I mean, what kind of mother treats her own child with such indifference, such blatant disregard? Was I really that much of a disappointment to her? Was I so far removed from the "perfect" daughter she had envisioned?

Tears threatened to spill from the corners of my eyes, but I fought them back, refusing to give in to the emotions that threatened to overwhelm me. I was Amber, dammit - tough as nails, with a mouth sharper than any blade. I didn't need their approval, their love. I was my own person, and I'd be damned if I let these people, these strangers, break me.

With a deep, shuddering breath, I steeled my resolve. I would find a way to thrive in this twisted, gilded cage they called a home. And when the time came, I'd break free, leaving this dysfunctional family in the rearview mirror, just a distant memory.

After about an hour of brooding in my room, I heard my father's voice booming from downstairs, signaling his arrival. Squaring my shoulders, I made my way down to the living room, where the rest of my "family" was gathered.

My father, Song Bo, greeted me with a nod, his expression neutral but not unkind. Unlike my mother and sister, he treated both of us daughters with an equal measure of respect, even if he wasn't the most outwardly affectionate. 

As I joined them, I noticed that he had brought gifts from his business trip to Japan. Yangyao's eyes lit up as he handed her a beautifully wrapped present - one that I knew she had been yearning for. Meanwhile, my father turned to me and presented a delicately crafted music box, my favorite.

I couldn't help but feel a twinge of satisfaction as I saw the annoyance flickering in Yangyao's eyes. She knew better than to voice her complaints in front of our father, but the jealousy was palpable.

Before I could even bask in the moment, my mother interjected, a sly smile playing on her lips. "Oh, and dear, did you know that two days ago, Song Yanyan pushed me?" she said, her tone dripping with false concern.

I felt my hackles rise, but I refused to let her get the better of me. Turning to my father, I met his gaze with unwavering confidence. "Actually, Father, it was Mother who wanted to slap me for no reason. I simply refused to be treated that way in my own home."

Song Bo turned to my mother, his voice stern. "Chen Xinyi, is this true? I thought I made it clear that I will not tolerate any form of physical abuse in this household, regardless of who it's directed at."

My mother had the decency to look chastised, her gaze lowered. "But, Song Bo, you don't understand. She's always been such a rebellious child, constantly disrespecting me. I was just trying to discipline her."

I scoffed, cutting in before my father could respond. "Discipline? Is that what you call it, Mummy Dearest? Slapping me around like some errant child? Please, spare me the crocodile tears. We all know you favored Yangyao from the start."

Song Bo raised a hand, silencing me. "Enough. Song Yanyan, while I do not condone your mother's actions, you also have a responsibility to respect her as the lady of this household." 

He turned to my mother, his expression stern. "However, Chen Xinyi, I will not tolerate you resorting to physical punishment, no matter the circumstances. If there are issues, we will address them as a family."

My mother opened her mouth to protest, but Song Bo cut her off with a pointed look. "That is final."

Yangyao sat quietly, her eyes darting between us, no doubt relishing the tension. I caught her gaze and shot her a defiant smirk, silently challenging her to try and one-up me in front of our father.

Song Bo let out a weary sigh and gestured to the gifts he had brought. "Now, let's put this unpleasantness behind us and enjoy the presents I've brought back. We're all family here, and I want us to be able to celebrate together."

I knew better than to push my luck, so I simply nodded and accepted the music box, casting a sidelong glance at Yangyao's barely contained jealousy. This may not be the perfect family, but I would hold my ground and carve out my own place in it, come hell or high water.