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

are you

said mischievously. There was a hint of allure in his voice. Under normal circumstances, Cassandra might even think

her legs grew weak. With all her strength, she

Why don't you go back to bed and let

said as he scooped Cassandra up and tossed her into

warm you up since you feel so cold," he said as he

trampled her dignity until it was reduced to

It was as if

her soul were floating in the air,

like the affectionate and thoughtful gentleman you once knew. Upsetting him would grant you a revenge worse than

that the trust she once had for

risen. Rays of sunlight peeked into the room

woke to the brightness and warmth

gotten up, taken a bath and gotten

he looked immaculate. The gorgeous man that stood in his

are not here when I come back, trust me you'll regret ever trying to leave,"

to leave

slammed shut. She retrieved her wrists

punishment for breaking up with you, Rufus?' she murmured

but her tears had been

to move. Neither motivation nor strength

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

Then we both will owe nothing to

her eyes. She allowed relief to take over her

was quite reserved that day. He dealt with his work as quickly as possible to make

seeing the bruises on her wrists made him regret his actions a

bound her hands with his tie. The more she struggled, the more furious he became. She said

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

to make sure she would not be able

as he cooled down, he began to reflect on whether he overdid it.

she did in a fit of anger. Why did he 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

make it up to her. The thought of how much she

was already dark. She slept