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

asked, "Then, why don't you

her throat, more with his words than with the

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

her head, and Rufus felt his heart drop. "No, Rufus." She looked down

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

no, that was not the entire truth. There was that one person who had always helped her, time and again. And now, he was still doing the same thing onver again. How

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

won't let anything hurt you. You don't need to care about the others. I will always stand by your side,"

his brow, down to his jaw and chin. His eyes glowed, and he was looking at her as

slowly, "All I want for my whole life is to be loved by someone fully. I have been alone and lost all my life, and all I want is a home." Cassandra fixed her eyes on

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

simple words, bare of flowery declarations, yet they were the most precious promises

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

between them closed, and their lips got closer and closer

Say yes," Rufus whispered as he touched his

just

that moment, Cassandra knew that her heart was completely

and kissed him. Rufus's lips

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

a yes." He swooped down for another chaste kiss before he settled back in his seat. "Let's go back now. We need to make plans about

easily. Cassandra would probably have to talk to Lionel before they could

to Lionel.

also thought of Lionel at that moment. She had indeed realized she acted rashly

not to be a completely

of them knew clearly about their feelings for each other now. Cassandra felt braver as she buried the image of Rufus and his gaze

to the Tang house. Cassandra suggested that she get off first at a corner near

before the divorce is final. That

sensible decision. Rufus would be

if

mischievously and a sly smile forming on his lips. Cassandra's

the direction of the Tang house, while Rufus parked the car in