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?

so naive!' he jeered within.

why are you still the one

his voice. Under normal circumstances, Cassandra might even think he

Cassandra trembled and her legs grew

don't you go back to bed and let me warm

said as he scooped Cassandra up and tossed her into

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

was endless. He trampled her dignity until it was reduced

It was as if her body

floating in the air,

can you see? This is what you get when you offend Rufus. He is nothing like the affectionate and thoughtful gentleman you once knew. Upsetting him would grant you

so much to find that the trust she once

Rays of sunlight peeked into the room

the brightness and warmth of sunlight.

a bath and gotten dressed. He was wearing

looked immaculate. The gorgeous man that stood in his place showed no trace of the

go anywhere else. If you are not here when I

uttered frostily before he turned around to leave the room and

shuddered as the door slammed shut. She retrieved her wrists from the sunlight and curled up

is this my punishment for breaking up with you, Rufus?' she murmured inwardly.

to cry but her tears had been drained.

Neither motivation nor strength

I won't mind demons skinning and eating me alive! Let me be axed or

Cassandra! Then we both will owe nothing

closed her eyes. She allowed relief to take over her the moment Rufus left and drifted into

that day. He dealt with his work as quickly as possible to make sure he was home the soonest that he could manage.

bruises on her wrists made him regret his actions

she struggled,

hoarse and she didn't talk to

to make sure she would not be able to leave

he cooled down, he began to

Why did he abuse her like that? He must have hurt

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

was already dark. She slept the whole day.