A Graduation Gift

"What? From you?"

Cassandra was stunned, in disbelief. Lionel was thrilled at the sight of her face.

He was so proud of finally being able to surprise her.

"Of course they're from me! What, you think Rufus would ever give you something like that?"

Lionel smiled widely at her, knowing what she was thinking. He just wanted to tease her.

Cassandra couldn't hide her disappointment. Her eyebrows were scrunched together.

She had always thought that these flowers would only ever come from Rufus.

Even if she tried to refuse them, they would still be sent in anyway. He was incredibly persistent that he wouldn't even let her leave.

"Of course they're from me, Cassandra. I know Rufus has been busy recently because he was helping Miss Ke with her concert abroad. But you shouldn't trust him so easily, Cassandra. They could be enjoying a romantic time in Paris for all you know."

Lionel laughed to himself, deliberately trying to provoke Cassandra. He really wanted to see her devastated.

However Cassandra cleared her throat and held her chin up, refusing to give him what he wanted. She suppressed her devastation, trying to not look intimidated.

"We've already broken up, Lionel. There's no need for you to use him against me."

Cassandra kept her tone as calmly as she could, her face devoid of any emotion.

means you and I could get back together. Ivy means nothing to me; it's easy

caressing the delicate petals between his

at the stem of the rose. It had been stripped clean of its thorns; the entire stem seemed to have shed a new layer,

you think you're being unfair to

never expected that Lionel would say such a thing. Did he ever

for a good number of years. I'm getting tired of her, honestly. Of course I loved her at the beginning, but time has taken a lot of things away from me. Her face, for instance. She's starting to show wrinkles, it's disgusting! Isn't she also only staying with me for my money, anyway? She doesn't

mischievously. Cassandra could feel how Lionel truly felt about Ivy. To him, Ivy was disposable

she would never let Lionel go. Now, Lionel was not only saying that he was sick of her, but also claiming that he

were such heartless

I'm after

suddenly reminded of the painful memory of what she had said to Rufus when she first rejected him. She tried to shake the thought of Rufus's beautiful face

to work alone than use other people's money. I know

Cassandra noted that, for

Group would have paid off its loan

was only telling the truth. Cassandra too, really knew the truth anyway. But why did hearing it coming from Lionel

extremely stubborn. She knew that she didn't want to live on anyone's charity. She tried to fight the tears seeping out of her eyes by roughly shaking her head and clearing her

But I'm sorry, I'll have to say no again this time. Please

side to gesture Lionel

later, when Cassandra refused to move, Lionel

up from where he was seated, before cooly walking past Cassandra

and sighed, feeling incredibly tired all of a sudden. She walked

brought it up to her face to inspect it. It looked so delicate and beautiful. She suddenly remembered

head angrily, she tried to