A Graduation Gift

This small moment between them was interrupted by Cloris's voice. "Mom! I'm back!"

she announced as she walked in from outside. The moment she entered, she saw Rufus and Cassandra standing side by side. The smile on her face instantly fell and it was replaced by a coldness she did not even bother to mask.

She entered the hallway with furrowed eyebrows. She moved carelessly, kicking off her shoes and stomping through the floor. She passed Cassandra and Rufus without even acknowledging them.

Cassandra didn't say anything at the display of rudeness from her younger sister. When Cloris went to the kitchen to look for her mother, Cassandra bent down and picked up the shoes that her sister kicked off on the floor and put them in their proper place by the door.

Hardly had Cloris shut the door of the kitchen when she started to complain, "Mom, why are they together again? Didn't you say that you would not allow their relationship?"

There had been plenty of times in the past when Cloris heard her mother's opposition against the relationship between Cassandra and Rufus. 'Why are they shamelessly showing up together now? And in our house, of all places, ' Clories wondered.

"I am against their relationship, but you sister is stubborn. How can I kick him out? Just treat him as a guest for now. Even strangers should be treated with good manners."

Edith's eyes remained fixed on the chopping board as she sliced the vegetables. She was so occupied with cooking that she didn't even turn her head to look at Cloris, whose face had turned dark.

"Mom, I didn't tell you this before, but the last time I was with Arthur, Rufus embarrassed me in the public. He accused me in front of so many people! Did he think that he could criticize me because he was going to be my brother-in-law? Even Cassandra, my own sister, can't do this to me!"

Remembering the scene, Cloris felt her anger from that time return. She had lost face in front of Arthur because of Rufus! There was no way she would let this go so easily.

At this, the sound of chopping ceased. "What?" Edith asked, wide-eyed. "What happened? Why didn't you tell me?"

knife in her hand and

you'd much rather believe him, ask him later yourself. He is not my father. He is no one. So what right did he have to talk down to me?

been pampered by her parents. She had grown up conceited with the attention they lavished on her, and she despised it when

to stop playing the nice host. The knife fell with a clatter on the

and treat him like a guest, but after knowing what he did, I've changed my mind. He doesn't deserve to be

the vegetables in a pan. From the fridge, she took out some tofu and started to chop.

the fridge. She wouldn't waste perfectly good

response. With a grin, she came close to Edith and

You're the only one on

of the kitchen to her

Edith came out

is ready,"

to the kitchen to help set the food.

eyes landed on the plates, she

tofu, fried eggs with tomatoes, sauteed potatoes,

in the kitchen, and all the while, she had been thinking that her mother was going to cook

feast, but

are you feeling ill? Let me cook something

and ready to open the