A Graduation Gift

Cassandra felt awful to see Rufus's convulsed expression. Edith had not only slighted Rufus while he was eating, but also failed to show basic hospitality at the dining table. This was in abrupt contradiction to how she had behaved when Arthur came for dinner the other day. But to her surprise, Rufus wasn't mad at her.

"I'll take you to visit my father this afternoon," Cassandra said affectionately, trying to distract herself from Edith's ill behavior before it got to her.

She put her hand on top of his, looking deep into his eyes with a wholesome smile.

Rufus looked back at her with a similar expression. Everything was understood, and no words of compensation were required.

Rufus didn't care about whether his meal was simple or extravagant. As long as he spent his time with Cassandra, nothing bothered him.

Edith stood alone in the kitchen as they ate. Listening to their hearty laughter and chatting, she couldn't help but peep through to the door to look at them.

And what she saw really surprised her. Rufus took Cassandra's bowl by his hands, scooped up some egg drop seaweed soup into it, placed the bowl in front of her carefully, and then put a white porcelain spoon on her plate, all in one go.

Cassandra looked at his swift movements with a sweet and admiring smile on her face, and then took the spoon to have some soup.

She didn't her hair today. A lock of it fell in front of her face as she bent low to drink from the bowl. Rufus reached out for the strands, cleaned them with a tissue and put them behind her ear.

Every movement he made was gentle and natural. He looked at Cassandra as if he was looking at a priceless gem.

For most part, she didn't even realize how lovingly he gazed at her. She was simply busy with her soup. Truth was, she was already used to the feeling of Rufus's body next to her. His touches, his smiles, his glances...everything was like home to her.

It only took a split-second for Edith's heart to be touched by the scene.

them when they sat to

stuffed with cotton. She couldn't move her eyes away from them.

but she stayed there,

she resorted to pacing back and forth in the kitchen with a weird mix of feelings. As a mother, all she wanted was for her daughter to be happy. But when she thought of the things that had happened before, she was reluctant

silverwares, and walked toward the kitchen. Edith was flustered to suddenly see her there. She

father this afternoon. Do

invited her, hoping to eliminate some

a way out. She was about to say yes to Cassandra when Cloris

to have dinner with us tonight. Please prepare something good!" she said unkindly. It almost sounded

glance at Cassandra provocatively. Certainly, she overheard

was taken aback. She was torn and didn't know

but she tried her best to

cold outside. Rufus

quietly, trying to appear as unaffected as possible.

say something, but couldn't utter anything. All she did was give

expression on her mother's face. Her mouth twisted

go and get some

seen Arthur. She couldn't wait to

go," Edith said, nodding