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?

are so naive!' he jeered

naked and you're fully dressed but why are you still the one shaking?

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

grew weak. With all her

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

he scooped Cassandra up and tossed her

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

was endless. He trampled her dignity until it was reduced

if her

as if her 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 knew. Upsetting him would grant you a revenge worse than

much to find that the trust she once had for him was

peeked into the room and fell on her

brightness and

and gotten

in his place showed no trace of the

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

around to leave the room and

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

this my punishment for breaking up with you, Rufus?'

to cry but her tears had

to move. Neither motivation nor strength

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

Then we both will owe nothing to each other,

her eyes. She allowed relief to take over

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

wrists made him regret his actions a little.

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

voice had turned hoarse and she didn't talk to him in the

her clothes to make sure she

began to reflect on whether he

a fit of anger. Why did he take her too seriously? Why did he abuse her like that? He

much she feared him that morning horrified him. She could not even look

already dark.