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.

What is he like? Is

one question after another.

smiled and

the president of Dawn Star Group,

seemed so happy and she always looked at Arthur

even came back just to see him but they ended up fighting.

"Arthur? I know him!"

was part of

happy for her. Arthur is a

to wipe it off his face. Realizing that his daughter was dating a great man filled him with so

Cassandra joy,

love life then, Cassandra. By the way, who were you talking about? Who

he forgot to ask who the mystery guy was. A part of him felt bad that he did

actually hoping that he would not investigate as this was a topic she would have preferred

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

Vernon might object. As best as she could, she explained the situation and put

seconds and then sighed in

What will the Tang family say when they find out that you plan to be their older son's wife?" he

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

Please let me just worry about what's

with a bitter smile.

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

ache. Would Horace agree if she married

me you'll take care of yourself.

held her hands and looked straight into

Father, I promise. Thank

her father's love overwhelmed Cassandra so much

she would share a moment like this with her father. Sitting across him and holding his hands, she had never felt this

her sister. She could not recall a moment in her childhood where she felt that he loved her. He never seemed to care what she did in her life or

even in her wildest imagination did she imagine this moment to

she had everything she needed. She felt as if she were the luckiest girl in the world. If she had left her family and allowed her hatred to get the best

him how she felt, how beautiful these kinds of moments were, and how things would always get better

warmth of having a family and how it was worth fighting for.

much more satisfying

He was very stubborn and nothing she did or said about this particular matter ever

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

responsibility to lend a hand. But unfortunately, absorbed by his hatred, he barely showed concern for their