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

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

voice. Under normal circumstances, Cassandra might even think he was

Cassandra trembled and her legs grew weak. With all

you go back

he scooped Cassandra up and tossed her

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

dignity until

her. It was as if her body and

her soul were floating in the air, staring blankly at the woman

He is nothing like the affectionate and thoughtful gentleman you once knew. Upsetting

that the trust she once had for him was all a lie.

Rays of sunlight peeked into the room

brightness

bath and gotten dressed. He was wearing a tie.

suit, he looked immaculate. The gorgeous man that stood in his place showed no trace of the tyrant from the night before.

If you are not here when

turned around to leave the room

slammed shut. She retrieved her wrists from

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

to cry but her tears had been drained.

motivation

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

Cassandra! Then we both

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

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

on her wrists made him regret

recalled that he bound her hands with his tie. The more she struggled, the

didn't talk to him

she would not be able to leave

cooled down, he began to reflect

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

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

was already