A Graduation Gift

Beads of sweat formed on Ivy's forehead. 'She must be in terrible pain, ' Lionel thought. His body was with Ivy, but his mind drifted away to what had happened earlier today.

In the serious conversation he had with his father today, Lionel felt that his father was deeply disappointed with him. The way he talked showed that he had a clear preference for Rufus. His father's words kept on echoing on his mind, and he couldn't fall asleep.

When Ivy finally dozed off to sleep, Lionel felt he needed some fresh air and went to the yard for a smoke. The cold breeze comforted him and eased some of his stress. He enjoyed the tranquility of the moment and stayed a little longer.

On his way back to the mansion, he happened to run into Cassandra who just came down the stairs. The moment he caught a glimpse of Cassandra, he was astonished. Even in the dark, her face was fresh and the nightgown she was wearing showcased her delicate curves. Her black flowing hair extended through her back like a stream steadily flowing through her eloquent shoulders. There was something about her that was so alluring. Never had Lionel imagined that the same woman he looked down on could stir his desire at that instant. He wanted to feel the warmth her body, the softness of her lips, and the smoothness of her skin.

Then he stopped recalling about Cassandra and thought about Ivy's condition. He knew that the baby in her belly was the most valuable chip he had to bargain his worth. If anything happened to Ivy and the baby...

Clearing all those thoughts away, he focused himself on walking briskly to the yard with Ivy in his arms.

Jill was following closely, and she was meticulous enough to take a blanket and cover that on Ivy.

"Be careful!" Jill reminded Lionel while he carried Ivy to the car.

They went straight to the Jenks's hospital. Lionel was tense and out of his breath. He cared for Ivy and her baby as well.

Ivy was immediately registered and was then made to go through a few checkups, and check for the fetal heartbeat. Once the doctor cleared all suspicions of possible problems with regards to Ivy and her child, Lionel heaved a sigh of relief. It was only then that the series of events went back to him and he started to express his frustration.

"Why did you go downstairs in the middle of the night? The light was not even on! You were lucky that nothing serious happened. What if you got a miscarriage? How are we going to deal with that?"

Ivy had been working hard to stay calm and patient as she went from one test to another. The last thing she expected Lionel to do was to scold her. Soothing words were what she needed right now. With a pang of annoyance, she complained, "Sure, it was me who went downstairs in the middle of the night. You were out too, weren't you?"

Lionel's eyebrows met as he tried to decipher what Ivy was conveying and it did not take him long. He suddenly realized that what happened was not an accident. Ivy staged it intentionally. She knew what would happen if she let Lionel continue his move with Cassandra. Ivy created such havoc to cut Lionel's desires short.

The moment he had this realization, he immediately let go of Ivy's hand and his confusion turned to rage.

"You must know your place. You are part of the Tang family only because you are carrying my child. Cassandra is my wife!" he roared angrily.

Ivy was stunned. Lionel had always been gentle to her. Now, she could barely recognize her lover with his monstrous expression and harsh words.

Fury and jealousy rose in her heart. She thought, 'How could he do this? He promised to love me and no one else but me.'

trusted you so I waited. And now, this is where it got me? I am pregnant with your child and yet you crawled into her bed? You two are married, I know. But please don't do this to me right under my nose. Don't you know how much

tears. Her tears seemed to smother up the

that he wronged Ivy gravely, his ego kept him from apologizing. He was not about to admit his mistake. Instead, he decided that it was best

not be taken away from you, and I will keep that promise. Don't worry

his strongest competitor, Rufus, he would finally be able to do anything he wanted. No

of pain crept his heart

aversion for, had suddenly become so dear to him. It seemed that the intense negative feelings he held for her had

was, those negative feelings were replaced with

her head away. Anxiety diffused through her entire body making her

not as firm and determined as before. When did his interest for Cassandra spark off? Having stayed with

didn't care what happened between Cassandra and Rufus. But now, the bitch was even clinging to Lionel! How shameless she

Ivy's face. 'Cassandra, if you just keep quiet and be a puppet wife, I can still be kind to you and refrain myself from taking any action. However, if you are to become my threat…' she thought to herself. 'I will definitely kill you before you can

concealed the intense hatred inside and put on an innocent look.

her eyes, she hugged Lionel tightly. She made herself

all this time that you will leave me after the baby is born. The doctor said that

the tender look on Ivy's face, Lionel

I love you, right? Rest assured. I'll love the baby with all my heart. I won't follow the path of my father, who has an illegitimate child!"

cheered her up, but still

like any other woman. She was Lionel's legal wife, and even the architectural design manager of Tang Group, an important position for the company.

the design manager? Then what would

woman for the Tang Group, and

by the servants in a short moment. As the night

relief. Today she was lucky to escape from Lionel, but how about next time? She was left without a clue of what to do.

finally able to enjoy a brief moment of peace, a knocking sound came from the window, which frightened Cassandra. She peeked

floor of the mansion!

to allow the trespasser to come in. Rufus jumped in and made sure his action was swift and light, after which, he turned to close

coldness of the winter night was all over him, which diffused into the air and was sensed by Cassandra, who quickly

room was equipped with a heater, making the temperature inside vastly different from the freezing conditions outside. She couldn't imagine how long this man had stayed outside, as she felt the piercing coldness penetrate from his clothes to

anxiety was written

of your mind? What if you fall!" the woman