A Graduation Gift

Edith stood in front of the couple, her face stiff with shock. Nothing could have prepared her for Rufus's visit.

"Mom, this is Rufus. You should know him,"

Cassandra said almost hesitantly. She kept her eyes on her mother's face, closely observing her reaction. Edith had put on the warmest smile possible, but it did not reach her eyes.

"Hello, Aunt Edith," Rufus spoke up next, greeting her warmly. "I finally managed to find time to pay you a visit."

As he spoke, he passed her the gift he had brought. The young man was being perfectly courteous and remained composed despite the looming tension that surrounded them.

Edith wordlessly accepted the gift, still not completely recovering from her shock.

Turning to Cassandra, she made up an excuse about needing her help with cooking and pulled her into the kitchen. The moment they were out of earshot, Edith started to throw a barrage of questions at her daughter.

"What is wrong with you, Cassandra? How could you not tell me that he was coming? And haven't I already told you to stay away from him? Didn't I tell you that I would never agree? Why are you being so stubborn?"

Edith found it hard to control her emotions as her words flew sharply. Her chest constricted at the thought that this was the same man who had ruined Cassandra's reputation. But now she was bringing him home with her.

"Wasn't he engaged with Amanda? Why is he with you again now? I thought you had already learned your lesson. Nothing good will come out of the two of you being together!"

She could not understand Cassandra's choice. Pain flashed through her chest as she thought of how her daughter had been left distraught after their separation. And now, it was as if she was making the same mistake again.

there had been a lot of misunderstandings between us in the past. We've cleared up everything

softly, trying her best to persuade her mother to let go of her past assumptions about Rufus.

are you talking about? What misunderstanding? It was all over the papers. He was

cocking a

going to marry

other couple. After all, she was going to get to know about it sooner

this, Edith's jaw dropped wide open.

What's going on here?" she said. Her eyes shifted from one side to another in her confusion. "I thought Clark wanted to marry

head around the things that Cassandra was saying. All this time, she had viewed Clark as someone suitable for her daughter and treated him like a son-in-law. He had been so adamant in pursuing Cassandra,

everything, but what I can assure is that Rufus and I are serious about our relationship." She paused and let

her mother's gaze firmly

her shock, she answered, "First, he was with you. Then he was engaged with someone else. And now you're back together and planning to marry? Do you realize how ridiculous this all sounds, Cassandra? I don't know what happened, nor do I want to figure it out. But I am sure of only

was not deserving of her daughter. He had hurt her in the past, and she would do everything she could to prevent

marry Lionel, a man we knew

and wore

and your father for arranging the marriage for you. But if you didn't marry Lionel,

her hand impatiently. The more Cassandra spoke on behalf of Rufus, the more impatient she

and be a proper hostess," she said, relenting. "But I don't want to see him again in this house. The