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.

not carefully thought through, but she did not regret what she

her thoughts when Rufus asked, "Then, why don't you be even more impulsive and be my

hard on the brakes and Cassandra's breath was caught in her throat, more with his words than with the sudden halt of the car. He turned around and looked at Cassandra, his eyes holding

of him being her husband. She would

Rufus." She looked down and broke from his gaze. "It

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 comfort, and she felt so small and alone in the

person who had always helped her, time and again. And

longer aware of anything 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

I won't let anything hurt you. You

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

have been alone and lost all

You will never

words, bare of flowery declarations, yet

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

them closed, and their lips got closer and

Say yes," Rufus whispered as

eyes were sparkling just like the stars overhead.

Cassandra knew that her heart

and kissed him. Rufus's lips curved into a smile when they parted.

He could not remember the last time he felt

take this kiss as a yes." He swooped down for another chaste kiss before he settled back in his

so easily. Cassandra would probably have to talk

talk to Lionel. If he agrees and then

that moment. She had

to be a

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

suggested that she

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

a sensible decision. Rufus would be on the receiving end of criticism if

seems that we haven't started any relationship yet. But if you

teased, his eyes twinkling mischievously and a sly smile forming on his lips. Cassandra's cheeks flared at his insinuation and

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