A Graduation Gift

The two men, equal in stature, stood scowling at each other with Cassandra in between them.

The atmosphere in the living room quickly turned hostile. Even Horace was at a loss for words. The girl who pretended to have blacked out in Rufus's arms lay still, quietly determined to carry on her performance until the very last minute.

"Oh?"

Rufus's thin lips curled into a careless half-smile, his eyes radiating nonchalance. He gave a little chuckle in response to Lionel's question.

"Cassandra," Lionel began in a stoic, dangerous voice. "Get up! You are in another man's arms right in front of your husband! Do you have any shame? Are you really that desperate to get laid?"

He seemed to have seen through Cassandra's ruse. As Lionel slanted his eyes at her, he moved to pull her out of Rufus' arms roughly.

Almost at the same time, Rufus retreated one step back, with Cassandra tucked safely in his arms. He glared at Lionel with piercing eyes, cutting him with his silent gaze. Lionel retracted his hands quickly, as if slashed by a knife.

"You think she rolled down the stairs deliberately, because she was desperate?!"

An intimidating look came over Rufus' face. They were nearly at daggers drawn. Horace had been cautiously watching the volatile exchange and now stood up in haste. He held Lionel back, who seemed to be humiliating Cassandra on purpose.

"Don't argue anymore! You had better take her to the hospital right now!"

sparing another glance to Lionel, Rufus marched straight to the door. Cassandra lay comfortably in his arms. The car was already outside, waiting for

disinfectant pervaded the

like a thief who had been caught doing wrong.

is it? Are you looking for

from nearby. The very next second, a devastatingly handsome face materialized in front of

her heart when she realized that they were the only ones in

to have

for your... just now,"

sense. She struggled to sit up and braced herself against the headboard, abstaining from meeting Rufus's eyes.

"Thank me? For what?"

he plopped down on the bed. He grabbed her chin gently, nudging her closer. Their breaths seemed to mingle as the distance

mind went blank at the closeness. She inhaled sharply, wondering how this man could be so rude and so bold at the same time. She was his sister-in-law, for

thank me? You don't

it like it was. He never expected to meet Cassandra again in such a way. This delicate,

lost

laughter. It was confusing, but intriguing. She

forward and Cassandra flinched. He reached out and put one of his palms against

as she made an effort to control her breath. Her face flushed and her mind drew a blank once again. Fortuitously lifting