A Graduation Gift

Cassandra took a few steps back, clutching the clothes on her chest.

The sudden memory sent a shiver down her spine. Everything made sense now. All the questions she had no answer to were finally clicking into place.

Now she knew why her father didn't like her from her childhood, and why he seemed so distant. He must have thought wrongly of her all along.

She had been sent to the small town because her family was afraid that she would hurt her sister again.

She had deliberately forgotten it, but today, there was no escape from the onslaught of memories that came back to her.

Cassandra stood shaking; next to her, her mother Edith was paled.

"Children can say whatever they like. Don't take their words seriously," Edith said, her voice cracking despite its low tone.

She still wanted to defend Cloris, but Cloris burst out, "I won't apologize. That accident happened years ago! It's not my fault that Courtney chose not to let it go. It has nothing to do with me!"

With those words, Cloris stormed out, bumping into Cassandra on the way. Cassandra lost her balance from the sudden impact and fell to the ground, her eyes absent.

Cloris pushed the door open and rushed out, leaving Cassandra and Edith behind.

"Cassandra, why didn't you stop Cloris?"

Edith stood up and anxiously ran after her younger daughter, while Cassandra lay on the floor unmoving, a bitter smile plastered across her face.

Whitney sighed at the scene that unfolded and walked up to Cassandra. She took her arm and helped her stand on her feet, leading her like a child to sit down on the sofa.

the matter with you? Are

in bafflement. She didn't know that Cassandra

right, Auntie. I just need

her entire body was cold and heavy with the things she had found out today. She had no idea

I'll go back first. I have to take care of Courtney,"

was left alone with the noise of her

a day. Cassandra felt

was like a trap door opened from under

had received. She couldn't even retaliate. But it turned out that none of it was her fault. She sat on the sofa, her shoulders

to find Cassandra nowhere in sight. Frowning, he reached for his phone and

you? You shouldn't have gone out.

Rufus came back as early as he could, looking forward to spending some time with

going back now,"

The exhaustion in her

don't

voice laced

sounding as if she was talking more to

to move. She went outside where the driver was waiting

When they reached the villa, she walked on staggering limbs, devoid of any energy. But at the sight of Rufus, she

at home alone," he said to her.

he reached out a hand and removed a small flower

small smile. "Yeah. It's boring to be alone every day,"

didn't want Rufus to see that there was something on her mind. At any rate, she