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 jeered

bare naked and you're fully dressed but why are you still

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

now, however, was far from normal. Cassandra trembled and her legs grew

you go back to bed and let me

he scooped Cassandra up and tossed

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

her dignity until it was reduced

was as if her body and soul were

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

you offend Rufus. He is nothing like the affectionate and thoughtful gentleman you once

that the trust she

Rays of sunlight peeked into the room and

to the brightness and warmth of sunlight.

taken a bath and gotten dressed. He was wearing a tie.

in his place

are not here when I come back, trust me

frostily before he turned around to leave the

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

punishment for breaking up with you, Rufus?' she

but her tears had

motivation

me go to hell! I won't mind demons skinning and eating me alive! Let me be axed or fried in

Then we both will owe nothing

She allowed relief to take over her the

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

her wrists made him

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

hoarse and she didn't talk to him

clothes to make sure she would not be

cooled down, he began to reflect on

She possibly said what 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 have I

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

Cassandra woke, the sky was already dark. She