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

why are you still the one shaking? It's like you have

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

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

you go back to bed and let me warm

he scooped Cassandra up and tossed her

me warm you up since you feel so cold," he said as he pressed his

her dignity until it was reduced

It was as if her body and soul

the air, staring blankly at the

nothing like the affectionate and thoughtful gentleman you once

to find that the trust

sunlight peeked into the room and fell on her bruised wrists.

brightness and warmth of sunlight.

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

immaculate. The gorgeous man that stood in his place showed no trace of the tyrant

If you are not here when I come back, trust

turned around to leave the room and slam the door behind

retrieved her wrists from the sunlight and curled up into

for breaking up with

to cry but her tears had been

Neither motivation nor strength

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

Then we both will owe

she closed her eyes. She allowed relief to take over her the moment Rufus left and drifted

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

back, seeing the bruises on her wrists made him regret his actions

struggled, the more furious he became. She said nothing but

hoarse and she didn't talk to him

to make sure she

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

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

already dark. She slept