A Graduation Gift

Dylon gaped at the two, his gaze flickering confusedly back and forth from Cassandra then to Rufus. He was struck speechless and had no idea what to say.

Rufus's face remained calm, his expression unwavering, and Dylon had the feeling that he should not remain here anymore. The man caught just now had something to do with Cassandra and the Tang Group. He was just an outsider. It would be best for him not to involve himself any longer. 'I should probably go now, ' he thought to himself.

He cleared his throat and spoke, "Then, Cassandra, since you'll be going back with Mr. Luo, I'll be on my way as well."

Cassandra opened her mouth to speak, but Dylon had already turned on his heel and left.

She could feel Rufus's presence behind her. There was an awkwardness between them that seemed to grow with every passing second.

Rufus stayed silent. Without speaking a word, he took her hand and led her into his car. A car which he had already sent for was waiting for them.

He shut the door forcefully, and Cassandra flinched from the sudden motion.

"You requested for a divorce?" he asked. Cassandra didn't reply to his question and avoided his eyes. "Why didn't you tell me before your announcement?" he pressed, his voice dropping and the words trailing off coldly.

His eyes were steely and his face was set in harsh lines.

"It's my business. Why would I need to tell you?"

Cassandra sensed his coldness and replied in an equally distant tone.

Rufus's eyes darkened with shadows at her reply. Her business? This was very far from being just her business at all!

Horace was strongly opposed to her decision. From here on, it would be difficult to disentangle her from the complicated relationships in that household. Had she discussed it with him before her sudden announcement, things could have gone differently.

Rufus let out a sigh and said simply, "You're too impulsive."

Then he proceeded to start the car.

Cassandra settled herself in a long silence before speaking again.

"I felt that it was the only chance," she confessed. "If I hadn't said that then, I wasn't sure if I could have said it later, or ever."

Her voice trembled as she spoke the words, and Rufus felt a small pang of pain in his chest, interfering with his breath. She looked defeated with her shoulders slumped and her head hanging lowly.

thought through, but she did

why don't you be even more impulsive and be

than with the sudden halt of the car.

Cassandra got divorced, there would be nothing standing in the way of him being her husband. She would no longer be tied down with the excuse that he was

"No, Rufus." She looked down

the roundness that was forming on Ivy's stomach, then of Lionel, and their strained relationship as husband and wife on paper. Despite the knowledge of the reality of their marriage, the betrayal stung her, pricking mercilessly on her dignity. Her nights were filled with the haunting sleeplessness and the walls echoed isolation: No one from the Tang family offered her

always helped her, time and again. And now, he was still doing the same thing onver again. How

but his eyes on her in that dark car parked in some unknown alley. She raised her head and met with Rufus's eyes. The affection flowing from his eyes almost drowned her. She wanted to refuse him. She had decided to refuse him. However, it was as if she had forgotten all words when he spoke to her

I won't let anything hurt

by the pale street lights. Cassandra traced the elegant contours of his brow, down to his jaw and chin. His eyes glowed, and

could feel her resolve steadily crumble. She said slowly, "All I want for my whole life is to be loved by someone fully. I have been alone and lost all my

you fully. I will protect and cherish you. You will never be alone, as long as

of flowery declarations, yet they were the most precious promises in Cassandra's

words alone were soothing her wounds, replacing the cuts with warmth,

between them closed, and their lips got closer and closer

woman, Cassandra. Say yes," Rufus whispered as he touched his forehead to

sparkling just like the stars

that moment, Cassandra knew that her heart

and kissed him. Rufus's lips curved into a

was the first time he had smiled so happily these years. He could not remember the last time he felt this much

he settled back in

easily. Cassandra would probably have to

to talk to Lionel. If he agrees and then we can

She had indeed realized she

not to be a completely

each other now. Cassandra felt braver as she buried the image of Rufus and his gaze into her memory. They would figure

house. Cassandra suggested that she get off first at a corner

relationship known to others before the divorce is final. That would be unfair to you.

be on the receiving end of criticism if

started any relationship yet. But if you want, I can think of something to make it

lips. Cassandra's cheeks flared at

the car and was thankful for the cool breeze that fanned her burning cheeks. She walked to the direction of the Tang house, while Rufus parked the car in another place. Then, he climbed over the wall and went back to his room.