A Graduation Gift

For Cassandra, Rufus's accusation of her was akin to standing naked in the middle of a freezing winter.

Dylon opened his mouth to explain but Cassandra chimed in right away. She had a huge smile on her face as she reached out and took his arm.

"Well, didn't you disappear after taking a call from some woman? Isn't that the same?"

Cassandra questioned Rufus and looked straight into his eyes boldly. It seemed like she was trying to provoke him but deep inside, she felt nothing but sadness.

Was he implying she couldn't wait to throw herself into another man's arms? Did Rufus see her as a slut?

All of the sweet words Rufus had once whispered in her ear meant nothing to her now.

Dylon was frozen because so many things had happened in the last few days from people assuming he was Lyndsy's boyfriend to being used by Cassandra as a shield.

Rufus narrowed his eyes and looked back into Cassandra's eyes. She was glaring at him.

Cassandra felt her legs weaken but she didn't give in—she managed to power through as she stared Rufus down.

In her heart, Cassandra tried to make herself feel better by cheering herself on, 'No one can defeat you, Cassandra! Don't give in now!'

She felt a lump in her throat. How she wished she could cry it all out but she held her tears back. She raised her chin and glared at Rufus.

"It's not what you think,"

Rufus said and looked at Cassandra, knowing very well she was just being stubborn and defiant. He didn't have much patience left.

While it was true that Amanda had called him, Rufus had refused Amanda and he only left to see Charlie. He simply chose not to tell Cassandra for fear that she might get upset.

He preferred Cassandra to know nothing. As long as she stayed beside him, she would be happy and satisfied, wouldn't she?

"So what's it like? I believe what I see; and what I saw was you went out after you answered the phone,"

Cassandra grimaced. Actions spoke louder than words, right?

"What about what I just saw now? Is there any truth to that?"

Rufus found Cassandra's smile unpleasant. His heart prickled as if a dagger was stabbing it.

"Yes, Rufus, what you just saw is the truth. Since you're lying to me, I don't see any reason why we should still be talking. Now if you'll excuse us, there's something I need to discuss with Dylon."

Then Cassandra took Dylon's arm, looped hers around it and walked past Rufus.

Lyndsy was so surprised that she

humiliate Rufus in public

his fists. The veins on his temples bulged. Jasper was filled with apprehension how Rufus would respond, so

go, Rufus. We

arrived

at the sound of Rufus punching the hard

had a cold look on his face. His eyes were gleaming as if he was planning something that no

could you embarrass Cassandra in front of so

Rufus said to Cassandra was

but when it came to Cassandra, he just turned into a different man.

so he spoke those words without

Cassandra was stubborn too! She could have explained to you

hand on Rufus's shoulder and patted

their pride down to talk to one another when they were fighting. It would take them a

head down. Lyndsy had to call her name to get her attentiontried since she was

A City tomorrow for the rescue, so I'd like to propose a toast to him. Dylon, as your friends, we hope you can take a good care of yourself. Be safe and we

whose mind was obviously somewhere else. She didn't know what to do with this lifeless and downhearted Cassandra.

It's just a fight, nothing

with more wine. Her face

what? I admire you! You won

was already curious about Cassandra especially with what Rufus did. And here she was now, drinking wine with Cassandra! It

it for you? I

was, Dylon just wanted to make

don't have to. We have many other things we need to worry

and gave a

issue between them was trust. Neither Cassandra nor Rufus ever mentioned it but now it was creeping up

know each

her past because

it came to Rufus, he would just clam up and change the topic. He never talked about

happened to him? Who did he meet? What was his

they had to solve was Cassandra's marriage to Lionel; but now the problem was settled, their

anything about Rufus's past or his secrets. He purposely hid them from her by not talking to her! What a joke! That was absolutely

and Dylon exchanged glances, both of them not knowing

was seemingly surrounded by a cloud of darkness

to get up early tomorrow and go to A City with the medical

about what happened either. He barely ate anything despite being served