A Graduation Gift

Cassandra was humiliated. Tears of shame ran down her cheeks.

"I hate you, Rufus! I hate you so much as I have never hated anyone before!"

Cassandra roared. The throbbing pressure on her body and her temples almost made her collapse.

"Go ahead! Hate me all you want! I don't give a damn how you feel!" he shot back.

The night seemed long and distressing. Finally, Rufus lay asleep soundly beside her; his exhaustion was evident from the venting.

Cassandra's eyes widened at the sight of the man beside her.

He was fast asleep. Despite his unguarded disposition, tension shone visibly on his face.

His eyebrows were furrowed. 'What is he dreaming about?' she thought.

The tie around her wrists was loosened—a product of her unrelenting struggle. Cassandra gingerly moved her hands and freed them bit by bit

until they were finally fully hers again.

She cautiously pushed herself up and was mildly surprised that Rufus did not wake up to this. He must be exhausted, not just physically, but also mentally.

Every cell in her body hurt. Her wrists were bruised very badly.

She was not sure how she could face the tyrant on the bed. She quietly went to the closet to get some clothes.

It was better for her to leave before Rufus woke up.

She pulled on her clothing, turned around and found Rufus staring right at her. She was taken aback.

"Where are you going?"

His icy voice almost made her jump. She began to tremble.

The sound of the closet door woke him up but he waited until she got dressed to cover the bruises on her body.

'Does she think those clothes would be enough to cover the marks I left on her body? Does she really believe she could escape just like that?

you are so naive!' he

dressed but why are you still the one shaking? It's like you have a cold,"

Under normal circumstances, Cassandra might even think he

legs grew weak. With all her strength, she worked hard to

you go back to bed and let

up and tossed her into

warm you up since you feel so cold," he said as he pressed his body on

was endless. He trampled her dignity until it was reduced

crept over her. It was as if her body and soul were going two opposite ways.

her soul were floating in the air, staring blankly at the woman and the man

when you offend Rufus. He is nothing like the affectionate and thoughtful gentleman you once knew. Upsetting him would grant you a revenge worse than hell.' Right now, that was exactly how

so much to find that the trust she once

risen. Rays of sunlight peeked into the room and fell

woke to the brightness

bath and gotten dressed. He was wearing

his fine suit, he looked immaculate. The gorgeous man that stood in his place showed no trace of

not here when I come back, trust me you'll regret

he turned around to leave the room and

She retrieved her wrists from the sunlight

for breaking up with you, Rufus?'

wanted to cry but her tears had

motivation nor strength was available to

me sink into the darkness! Let me go to hell! I won't mind demons skinning

we both

allowed relief to take over her the

reserved that day. He dealt with his work as quickly as

the bruises on her wrists made him regret

bound her hands with his tie. The more she struggled, the more furious he became. She said nothing but "I hate you".

voice had turned hoarse and she didn't talk to him in the morning.

she would not be able to leave the

cooled down, he began to reflect

Why did he abuse her like that? He must have hurt her, not just physically, but emotionally as well. He scolded

it up to her. The thought of how much she feared him that morning

sky was already dark. She slept the whole day.