A Graduation Gift

Whitney looked sad and frustrated. What Cassandra said even gave her more pain.

"I know why Courtney is acting like this. It is because of that man. He left Courtney and no one knows where he is now. I can't seem to find him no matter how hard I tried," she said.

Whitney furrowed her brows and looked at Courtney who was picking out clothes from her closet happily. Tears filled her eyes.

"Considering Courtney's mental state, how can I leave her? I can't afford to try to find the guy myself. Someone has to stay with Courtney. Also, that man hurt her. I don't know what will happen to her if he comes back in her life again. What if she goes out of control? I can't afford to lose my only daughter.

I don't expect her to fully recover. All I want is that she becomes capable of living her life without trying to hurt herself again,"

Whitney sighed. She became even more sorrowful as she looked at her daughter.

Cassandra followed her gaze. The sunshine lit the room beautifully. Under the warm sunlight, Courtney looked young and beautiful.

It could have been a very wonderful sight to see a girl picking out dresses for her date so happily on a warm afternoon, thinking about the love of her life.

Courtney, who indulged herself in her memory, must be very happy now.

"Sometimes, she acts like this, happily dreaming about the man. But after a few moments, she will suddenly return to the present and go back to her cold, indifferent self," Whitney explained.

It was difficult to watch her. Whitney looked at the ceiling to keep her tears from falling.

"Why don't you stay for a few more days in Norway, Cassandra, since you seldom come here? I have a lot of guest rooms. You can pick whichever you like. Remember to lock the door before you go to sleep so Courtney won't startle you. Please think about it," Whitney offered. "Anyway, I have a meeting with a securities agent. I should go now."

Whitney ended and left, leaving Cassandra with Courtney.

Cassandra went into deep thought.

"Pink, no. I wore pink last time,"

Courtney muttered to herself as she threw the pink dress away. Pouting, she looked like a three-year-old little girl.

"Black, no. He doesn't like me in black,"

she whispered as she threw away another batch of clothes.

"Purple? He thinks I look old in purple. No purple!"

Courtney still couldn't choose what to wear.

Cassandra walked over to her.

"Courtney, what does he like?"

she asked, being observant of Courtney's facial expression.

suddenly stopped. The smile on her face disappeared

as suddenly as it arrived, the excitement was

was as if she turned into a different person in just a

"He...doesn't like me,"

and cheery a few seconds ago was now low and miserable. It was almost like a whisper. Cassandra's heart sunk. She felt sorry

how much Courtney cared about

who does he

asked carefully, hoping to

brows. Her face

do the things he wants me to do. I

up. There were tears in her eyes. She

she had to stop asking Courtney more questions. She didn't want her to suffer from more painful memories.

Come here.

her put back the

tired after her busy morning picking out clothes.

house because she was sick. In normal circumstances, it would have freaked her out to see a stranger in the house. But Cassandra intrigued her.

your name? I have never seen you

asked as she looked at Cassandra up and down. Her eyes were wide in wonder.

is

that Courtney must have already forgotten her, so she explained to her

her smile. Instead, she looked at

that something was wrong. It felt as if Courtney was still in

Courtney stood

and I need to have some rest. Please leave my bedroom," she said

mouth but said

the person she used to be.

sigh of relief. At least, she

out and closed the

went downstairs and saw Whitney working on her

Unfortunately, I don't have time to show

Cassandra apologetically when

data on the

Norway is so fresh, much better than my hometown. I would like to get some fresh air,"

giving a gentle smile to Whitney, and went for a walk

sky, white cloud, green forest and grassy meadow. It was a breathtaking view. Still, Cassandra could not set herself to enjoy it.

silly and naive she was. What made her think that

very wealthy seeing that the President of the company handled her case

The money she could lose from her 20% shares in

that Whitney would not really care how high her offer might

of person who could easily be persuaded to change her