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.

been a lot of misunderstandings between us in the past. We've cleared up everything now. Please give him a chance. We were both

to persuade her mother

talking about? What misunderstanding? It was all over the papers. He was engaged with Amanda.

pressed, cocking a

is going to

that it would be best to inform Edith about the other couple. After all, she was going to get to know about it sooner or later, and it might help her mother understand the situation better.

this, Edith's jaw dropped

here?" she said. Her eyes shifted from one side to another in her confusion. "I thought Clark wanted to marry you. Why is he marrying Amanda

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

was perfectly natural for her mother to be confused with such abrupt development. "Mom, it's really complicated. It would take hours to explain everything, but what I can assure

her mother's gaze firmly

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 one thing. I don't want my daughter to marry a

voice was cold as she spoke. To her mind, Rufus was not deserving of her daughter. He had hurt her in the past, and she would do everything she could

man we

and wore a helpless

know you blame me and your father for arranging the marriage for you. But if you didn't

more Cassandra spoke on behalf of Rufus, the more impatient she grew.

will treat him as my guest and be a proper hostess," she said, relenting. "But I don't want to see him again in