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?

naive!' he jeered

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

There was a hint of allure in his voice. Under normal circumstances, Cassandra

far from normal. Cassandra trembled and her legs grew weak.

back to bed and let me

said as he scooped Cassandra up

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

trampled her dignity until

unfamiliar feeling crept over her. It was as if her body and soul were

in the air, staring blankly at the woman and the

when you offend Rufus. He is nothing like the affectionate and thoughtful gentleman you once knew. Upsetting him would grant you a revenge worse

much to find that the trust she

into

the brightness and warmth

up, taken a bath and gotten dressed. He

looked immaculate. The gorgeous man that stood in his place showed no trace

If you are not here when I come back, trust me

uttered frostily before he turned around to leave the room and slam

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

punishment for breaking up with you,

cry but her tears had been

motivation nor strength was available to her.

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

Hold on, Cassandra! Then we both will owe nothing to each other,

her eyes. She allowed relief to take over her

as quickly as possible

bruises on her wrists made him regret his actions

she struggled,

she didn't talk

dumped all her clothes to make sure she would not be able

to reflect on whether he overdid

did he take her too seriously? Why did he abuse her like that? He must have hurt her, not just physically, but emotionally as well.

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

was already dark. She slept the