A Graduation Gift

After reaching the hospital, Lionel rushed into the emergency room with Cassandra in his arms.

"Hospitalize her!" he ordered, gave a wad of money and hurried away.

As quickly as he had come, his footsteps receded into the night, leaving the doctor bewildered at his abrupt manner.

Cassandra willed her eyes to open and looked at the doctor on duty, with a bitter smile on her lips.

"Doctor, I think I have a fever," said Cassandra weakly.

Then she lost consciousness and fell backwards.

Luckily, a pair of powerful arms caught her.

'Well, the doctor is quick in movement. He's really a nice and thoughtful man, '

thought Cassandra the second she fell into a coma.

The doctor stared at the second man who suddenly appeared in the emergency room. He suspected this second man must have come here in hot pursuit of the unruly character who had just left. By their manner of handling the unconscious lady, it was obvious there was bad blood between the two.

Rufus's face darkened with anger. Urgently, he ordered the third guy who accompanied him and was standing by his side, "Victor, keep a close watch on him. Find out what he's up to."

Quietly, Victor nodded and left, pensively touching his nose with a finger. By the hasty way in which Rufus followed Lionel, he knew Rufus really cared about Cassandra.

Rufus was right. Lionel didn't intend to take Cassandra to the doctor. It was just his excuse.

From the parking lot Lionel stepped on the gas and drove like a maniac straight to Ivy's home, burning with anxiety.

A puffy eyed Ivy came to open the door. When she saw Lionel, she threw herself directly into his arms.

"Here you are at last," she greeted, her anxiety echoing on every syllable.

A beautiful, strong woman most of the time, Ivy was now clumsy and irritable. She wore little make-up and was terribly upset. It distressed Lionel.

Helping her to sit on the sofa and wiping away her tears, Lionel held Ivy in his arms and comforted, "Take it easy. I'm here with you."

Ivy sobbed all the more, her shoulders

what should I do? I want to keep this baby," she

without a second thought, "No, you can't keep this baby. I'm

moment a menacing look flashed across Ivy's face. But soon, realizing how futile it was trying to argue with

in a solemn tone now. "You see, after the last car accident, the doctor said my uterus sustained pretty bad injuries. It would be virtually impossible to conceive. But look, here I am, pregnant, beyond a shadow of a doubt. That to me is a miracle which gives me joy that words cannot express. I'm more than willing to take a risk and carry the pregnancy to term,"

the car accident, Lionel was brought back to reality. His usually impertinent face

said to him in the ward and the way she reassured

moment in his wrangles with Rufus.

deep-seated feelings. Using that to her advantage, she once again burst into tears, and bitterly pleaded in a low voice, "Lionel, I'm not asking for much. All

had known each other for seven years, and all along, she turned a blind eye to his wild, compulsive behavior. She knew all about his philandering and had learned not to give a hoot about his other women. Even if he couldn't wise up and stop wasting time and money on every

a fact and it gave her boldness to take him on.

time, but she had secretly poked holes in

to see what she had been planning for all those years

tenderly, she enjoyed to see her plot pan out well. It cut his heart

I've shown due respect for your feelings. In any case, you can't give birth to this baby. I'll take you to the hospital

When she recovered from the initial shock, she said with a bitter smile, "Lionel, I finally know you have been lying to me with

and stood up, her hands resting gently

baby and I don't care whatever evil thoughts you have for your way of life. I'm not terminating the pregnancy, come

room of their love nest struck timely, loud and clear.

Ivy suddenly smiled at him. A charming,

me make it clear for you, Lionel. If ever you try to hurt my baby, that will be the end

mind ran through all the time they had been

unpretentious, and charming in

heels in love with her.

he failed to fulfill his promise to marry her. Under the arrangement of

was still etched on his memory. In anger she had

she had never been the

satisfaction could not

went even further than that. Quietly, he snubbed Cassandra and never touched her. But as long as they didn't dissolve the marriage, Ivy still couldn't get rid of her hang-up.

you. I always thought you

pleaded, treading carefully. The final decision on the pregnancy was a ball in her court.

for me, so I have waited for all these years. But