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

are you still the one

in his voice. Under normal circumstances, Cassandra might

normal. Cassandra trembled and her legs grew weak. With all her strength, she worked hard to keep it

clearly cold. Why don't you go back to bed and let me warm

up and tossed her into the bed.

since you feel so cold,"

He trampled her dignity until it was reduced to

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

floating in the air, staring blankly at

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

her so much to find that the trust she once had for him was all a lie.

had risen. Rays of sunlight peeked into the room and fell on her bruised

to the brightness and warmth

bath and gotten dressed. He was wearing a

stood in

are not allowed to go anywhere else. If you are not here when I

uttered frostily before he turned around to leave the room and slam the door behind

door slammed shut. She retrieved her wrists from the sunlight and

up

but her tears

frozen, unable to move. Neither motivation nor strength was available to

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

on, Cassandra! Then we both will owe nothing

closed her eyes. She allowed relief to take over her the

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

her wrists made

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

hoarse and she didn't talk to him

clothes to make sure she would not be able

to

her too seriously? Why did he

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

sky was already