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.

Cassandra knew that it was not carefully thought through, but she

why don't you be even more impulsive and be my

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

Cassandra got divorced, there would be nothing standing in the way of him being her husband. She would no longer be

drop. "No, Rufus." She looked down and broke from his gaze. "It would just

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 comfort, and she felt so small and alone in the glaring

again. And now, he was still doing

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

want you to be mine, Cassandra," Rufus continued. "I will make you happy and I won't let anything

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

"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 him, and Rufus steadily returned her gaze.

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

declarations, yet they

were soothing her wounds, replacing the

distance between them closed, and their lips got closer and closer until

my woman, Cassandra. Say yes," Rufus whispered

eyes were sparkling just like the

that moment, Cassandra knew that her heart was completely

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

kiss before he settled back in his seat. "Let's go back now. We need to make plans about

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

to talk to Lionel.

She had indeed realized she acted rashly earlier.

to be

braver as she buried the image of Rufus and his gaze into

that she get off first at

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

was a sensible decision. Rufus would be

yet. But if you want, I can think

a sly smile forming on his lips. Cassandra's cheeks flared at his insinuation and she was unable to give a

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