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 he treating

shot one question after another.

and replied patiently.

the president of Dawn Star Group, Arthur

mind. The girl seemed so happy and she always looked at Arthur with such

up with Cloris before. She even

"Arthur? I know him!"

more excited. Arthur was part of the business circle. Of

very happy for her. Arthur is a very good

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

smile brought Cassandra

your love life then, Cassandra.

that he forgot to ask who the mystery guy was. A part of him felt bad that he did seem to show more concern about

though, she was actually hoping that he would not investigate as this was a topic she would have preferred to avoid. Left with no other choice,

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 like him and

was worried that Vernon might object. As best as she could, she explained the situation

seconds and then

brother. What will the Tang family say

not reached him yet.

the energy to think about the future, Father. Please let me just worry about what's in front of us, for now,"

gently with

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

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

me you'll take care of yourself. Don't allow yourself to

begged as he held her hands and looked straight into

Father, I promise. Thank

of her father's love overwhelmed Cassandra so much

Sitting across him and holding his hands, she had never felt this loved by him in all her life. It was as if she were

her sister. She could not recall a moment in her

in her wildest imagination did she imagine

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

wanted to tell him how she felt, how beautiful these kinds of moments were, and how

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

much more

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

what Lionel did, nothing seemed to work. They

would have been Rufus's responsibility to lend a hand.