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

in his voice. Under normal circumstances, Cassandra might even think he

grew weak. With all her strength, she

clearly cold. Why don't you go back to

Cassandra up and tossed

you feel so cold," he said as

trampled her dignity until it was reduced

her. It was as if

felt as if her soul were floating in the air,

thoughtful gentleman you once knew. Upsetting him would grant you a revenge worse than hell.' Right now, that was

trust she once had for him

sunlight peeked into the room and fell on her bruised

brightness

and gotten dressed. He was wearing

his fine suit, he looked immaculate. The gorgeous man that stood in his place showed no trace

anywhere else. If you are not here when I come back, trust me you'll regret ever trying

he turned around to leave

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

my punishment for breaking up with you,

cry but her tears had been

frozen, unable to move. Neither motivation nor strength

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

on! Hold on, Cassandra! Then we both

allowed relief to take over her the moment Rufus left and drifted into a deep,

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

on her wrists made him

he bound her hands with his tie. The more she struggled, the more furious he became. She said nothing

and she didn't talk to him

make sure she would not be

began to reflect on whether

her. 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

her. The thought of how much she

the sky was already