A Graduation Gift

"How's it going with your work?"

In prison's visiting rooms, Vernon sat across Cassandra. He had grown thinner but he seemed to be in high spirits.

"It's doing great, Father. Don't worry about me. As for my mother, she can't come today because she has been very busy, but I'm sure she will visit you next time," Cassandra said.

She made it a point not to bear bad news because she did not want her father to worry too much. It was important for her that he behaved well in prison so he could be let out soon and they could all be together. Because of this, she and her mother agreed not to tell Vernon about Edith's illness.

"Do you have a boyfriend now?"

This was the next question he asked. Of course, this also brought him concern because he didn't want his daughter to grow old alone. It only made sense that he would ask this too.

Cassandra already anticipated this and she was able to prepare an answer.

"Yes, but we haven't been dating long yet. I'd like to bring him so you can meet him when it's time. It's still too early now,"

she replied smoothly without hesitation.

Vernon smiled with relief when he heard her reply. That was good news to him because in his mind, that meant that he did not need to worry about Cassandra too much. There was a man who was taking care of her.

"I'm sorry I haven't been a good father. You and your mother must have been having a hard time recently,"

he started apologetically. He felt sorry for leaving Cassandra the burden of taking care of his family.

Right then, Cassandra suddenly remembered what Rufus told Ivy.

Joel had threatened Vernon to the point of him considering suicide. She realized that Ivy must have done this because of the things happening between them back then.

Cassandra's heart ached. Her father almost died because of her. This filled her with guilt.

"Father, please, no more apologizing. We are family. We're all waiting for you—mother, Cloris, and me,"

she said as she reached out to hold her father's hand to comfort him.

"How about Cloris? How is she?"

It had been a long time since he saw his beloved younger daughter. He missed her very much.

"She's fine. She came back a few days ago and she has a boyfriend now,"

Cassandra replied with a smile.

he like? Is he

question

and replied

him. He is the president of Dawn Star Group, Arthur Zhuang. Cloris

girl seemed so happy and she always looked at Arthur

before. She even came back just to see him but they ended up fighting. It confused

"Arthur? I know him!"

Vernon grew even more excited. Arthur was part of the

Arthur

unable to wipe it off his face. Realizing that

Cassandra joy, too.

also hurry up with your love life then, Cassandra. By the way, who were you talking

mystery guy was. A part of him felt bad that he did seem to show more concern about Cloris than Cassandra and he hoped that this lapse did not make Cassandra feel uncomfortable.

a topic she would have preferred to avoid. Left with no other choice, she had to

could not find it in herself to lie to her father. Hurriedly, she explained, "I know we shouldn't be together. I mean, there are so many odds against us. We've been through a lot, clearly. Mother doesn't like him very much either, but I'll introduce him to you, Father, and you'll see that he's really a great guy! I promise! I mean, I think you'll really

best as she could, she explained the situation and put in as many good words for Rufus as possible.

for a few seconds and then sighed in resignation.

Cassandra. He is your ex-husband's brother. What will the Tang family say when they find out that you plan to be their older son's wife?"

that all he worried about was the Tang family's approval, it was likely that the news about Rufus's identity had not reached him yet. It was a

energy to think about the future, Father. Please let

with a

family did not even have the time and energy to think about her relationship with Rufus at this moment.

her eyes made Vernon's heart ache. Would Horace agree if she

of yourself. Don't allow yourself to be hurt,

as he held her hands and looked straight into

promise. Thank you,"

warmth of her father's love overwhelmed Cassandra so much that she

his hands, she had never felt this loved by him in all her

always been distant to her and showed obvious favor towards her sister. She could not recall a moment

wildest imagination did she imagine

were the luckiest girl in the world. If she had left her family and allowed her hatred to get the best of her during her bitter days, she would not have reached this moment. She was grateful that she did her best

wished Rufus were beside her right now. She wanted to tell him how she felt, how beautiful these kinds of moments were,

him to understand the warmth of having a family and how it was worth fighting

was much more satisfying than revenge.

stubborn and nothing she did or said about this particular matter ever seemed to get through to

was already so deep into their problems. No matter what Lionel did, nothing seemed to work. They needed help and they needed

lend a hand. But