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!'

but why are you still the one shaking?

hint of allure in his voice. Under normal circumstances, Cassandra might

now, however, was far from normal. Cassandra trembled and her legs grew weak. With all her strength, she worked hard to keep it

cold. Why don't you go back

scooped Cassandra up and tossed her into the

you up since you feel so cold," he

dignity until it was reduced to dust.

It was as if her body and soul

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

affectionate and thoughtful gentleman

to find that the trust she once had for him was all a

Rays of sunlight peeked into

to the brightness and warmth of sunlight.

gotten up, taken a bath and gotten dressed. He was

man that stood in his place showed no trace of the tyrant

You are not allowed to go anywhere else. If you are not here when I come back, trust me you'll

leave the room and slam the door behind

slammed shut. She retrieved her wrists from the sunlight and curled up into

for breaking up with you, Rufus?' she murmured

wanted to cry but her tears

unable to move. Neither motivation nor strength was available

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

Cassandra! Then we both will owe nothing

to take over her the

work as quickly as possible to make sure he was home the soonest

seeing the bruises on her wrists

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

didn't talk to him

clothes to make sure she would not be

he began to reflect on whether he overdid

take her too seriously? Why did he abuse her like that? He must have hurt her, not just physically, but emotionally as well. He scolded himself, 'What

her. The thought of how much she feared him that

woke, the sky was already dark. She slept the