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!'

and you're fully dressed but why are you still

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

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

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

Cassandra up and

up since you feel so cold," he

dignity until it was reduced to dust.

unfamiliar feeling crept over her. It was as if

the air, staring blankly at the woman and

is what you get when you offend Rufus. He is nothing like the affectionate and thoughtful gentleman you once knew. Upsetting him would grant you a revenge worse than hell.' Right now, that was exactly how she felt.

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

sun had risen. Rays of sunlight peeked into

brightness and warmth of sunlight.

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

in his place showed

anywhere else. If you are not here when I

around to leave the

shut. She retrieved her wrists from the

punishment for breaking up with you, Rufus?'

wanted to cry but her tears had been drained.

to move. Neither motivation nor strength was available to

I won't mind demons skinning and eating

both will owe nothing to

She allowed relief to take over her

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

her wrists made him regret his actions a little.

The more she struggled, the more furious he became. She said nothing

had turned hoarse and she didn't talk

make sure she would not be able to leave

to reflect on whether

in a fit of anger. Why did he take her too seriously? Why did he

much she feared him that morning horrified him. She

already dark. She slept the whole day.