A Graduation Gift

Dry leaves rustled as the wind cast a gentle blow. Cassandra was anxious at the thought that she would be alone with Lionel. Excusing herself, she went to the backyard and took her time to think things over while walking.

The light in the backyard was dimmer compared to the one in the mansion which was overly lighted. The backyard was bleak.

Cassandra could hear the laughter made by Horace, Jill, and Cloris from inside. They were having a great time.

The peals of laughter were warm like sunshine in the winter, melting the snow. But the warmth was not enough to melt Cassandra's freezing emotions.

Cassandra knew that she wasn't as likable as Cloris, and Jill didn't like her at all. Cloris made a good impression on Jill and she liked her company. She felt happy for her sister knowing that she felt at home with the Tang family.

The chill of the early evening crept through Cassandra's senses making her nose itchy.

Out of nowhere, someone put a coat over her shoulders. Without looking back she could tell who it was by the familiar scent. Then Rufus said with his husky voice, "Are you trying to make others feel sorry for you by getting sick?"

Rufus' bark was worse than his bite. He was showing his concern for Cassandra in a sarcastic way.

"Besides, Lionel is still expecting you to have his child. Are you sure you can do that when you're so weak and sickly?"

Usually, Cassandra would talk back. But tonight was different. She didn't have the right mood.

Lionel was acting so possessive these past few days. His actions made Cassandra realize that she could never run away from him. Needless to say, Rufus, who knew well how complicated their relationship was but still persistently did things to worsen the situation.

Cassandra felt helpless and frustrated at the thought of her fate.

She was forced to marry Lionel, and the Qin family had kept on giving her the cold shoulder. That was fine with her, however, she got herself used to loneliness and ill-treatment. What scared her the most was other people showing pity on her. It made her feel belittled and vulnerable. And Rufus entered her life. He showed concerns and affections for her in different ways. She got used to the feeling of being cared for and secured, which might be the reason for her attachment to Rufus.

She would have been much happier if it was Rufus whom she married.

'Wait, stop thinking about Rufus!' Cassandra felt annoyed that she kept on imagining something she couldn't have.

'Cassandra, you should stop dreaming. It's not right, ' She reminded herself.

Then taking a deep breath and removing the coat Rufus had offered, she said coldly, "If you know that I'll have Lionel's child, then you should stay away from me."

Her remarks angered him in an instant. Seeing her pale and

be impossible. You can never have his child. You spent your first night with me,

cruel, "What made you think that was my first time? Don't you know that I have a hymen

saying something that shattered his heart. What was even meaner was

naughty things again with you. I

their relationship. Rufus was frustrated thinking

say such silly words when you fall

his steps and moved

his next move. He was so dominant

his arms, someone called

Cassandra, standing by the window of the living

back to her senses. She wouldn't allow Rufus to cloud her thoughts this time.

from indulging to Rufus's gentleness. She needed to resist

into the brightly lit

but what she did made her look

the same fragrance as she did their first night together. He couldn't help pulling the coat closer to his chest. His brown eyes blinked and there was something cynical in his

She just nodded her head, smiled, or

dinner in the past, everyone was quiet. Today was different because Cloris

Horace and

however, was dreary. He kept on staring at

Cloris to come with her to her bedroom

I'm fine. You can go with Lionel.

sleepy. Something unusual was displayed in the expression

to her. But Lionel had already stepped forward and pulled her into his arms. He winked at Cloris,

feeble and uncomfortable couldn't escape from Lionel's arms. She was taken forcibly and was almost dragged to the bedroom.

gloomy, the kind of gloomy that usually scared people

Lionel held Cassandra in his arms as they walked into the bedroom together, Rufus clenched his

and pushed Cassandra to the