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.

was not carefully thought through, but she did

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

in her throat, more with his words than with the sudden halt of the car. He turned

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

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

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

always helped her, time and again. And now, he was still doing the same thing onver again. How many times had this man

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

you happy and I won't let anything hurt you. You don't need to care about

on his face, silhouetted by the pale street lights. Cassandra traced the elegant contours of his brow, down to his jaw and chin. His eyes glowed, and he was looking at her as if she was the only woman in

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 life, and all I

will love you fully. I will protect and cherish you. You will never be alone, as long as I'm here. I will

They were simple words, bare of flowery declarations, yet they were

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

closed, and their lips got closer and closer until they

whispered as

just like

moment, Cassandra knew that her heart was completely his.

lips curved into a smile when they

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

yes." He swooped down for another chaste kiss before he settled back in

Rufus knew he would never allow the divorce so easily. Cassandra would probably have to talk to Lionel before they could move forward

talk to Lionel. If he agrees and then we

moment. She had indeed realized she acted rashly

to be a

their feelings for each other now. Cassandra felt braver as she buried

house. Cassandra suggested that she get off first at a

before the divorce is final. That would be unfair to you. Father will

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

But if you

his lips. Cassandra's cheeks flared at his insinuation and she was unable to

thankful for the cool breeze that fanned her burning cheeks. She walked to the direction of the Tang house, while Rufus parked the