A Graduation Gift

Chapter 267 A Cruel Woman (Part Two)

'Cassandra, please change your mind. She is not your family! If she considered you her family, she wouldn't have taken such extreme measures to spoil your life.

Cloris is like Horace. They're selfish and mean. They will do whatever it takes to get what they want. Family doesn't matter to them. They truly don't deserve your love!' Rufus thought.

But Cassandra was stubborn.

"I believe Cloris has her own reasons for what she did. Anyway, at the end of the day we are still a family. Nothing she does can change the fact she is my sister,"

Cassandra replied cooly, with her determination still intact.

In her mind, she decided she would talk to Cloris later and try to solve the issue. But right now she had to keep her words. She had promised Vernon hence she couldn't watch Cloris get into trouble.

Cassandra vividly remembered how she had spent that night sitting on the rooftop. Life had been so difficult that the thought of killing herself popped into her mind. That was when she looked back and thought of her mother and her sister. She remembered the smell of the dishes her mom cooked in the past. All this filled her heart with warmth.

She agreed they had clashes and disagreements, but that was very common among families. In spite of all this, they were the most important people in her life.

Watching Cassandra's expression soften, Rufus realized she wouldn't give up on her pursuit to protect her sister. The hope that was ignited in his eyes faded.

'Cassandra, you only have affection for your family, but what about me? My aunt is fighting for her life in the hospital. Yet I came here to help you. All I asked for you is to change your mind. Do you even know the turmoil I am in right now?

Of course not, you have given all your attention to your family. I am probably the last person on your mind. Otherwise, you wouldn't be standing here and defending your sister who doesn't even deserve it. Now I have come to see the importance of our relationship in your life, ' Rufus thought to himself, despondently.

"So I guess that's it. Now do you want to give up on our relationship?"

Rufus squinted. He gazed into her eyes, wishing to see through her heart.

Cassandra once again stiffened. She didn't expect Rufus would read her mind so easily.

When Cassandra had made up her mind to protect her sister, she knew her relationship with Rufus would end sooner or later. She had come in terms with it so she was fine. Now their chance of being together was completely finished. With a sinking feeling, she realized their love story had to come to a finale.

She took a deep breath and gathered all her courage to look into Rufus's eyes.

"Rufus, our relationship was a mistake. We should have seen it from the very beginning. If we decided to pursue it, our paths will be filled with thorns. We won't have a happy ending, that's for sure. I think it is best for us to end it now."

Cassandra tried her best to hide her sorrow and sadness.

She tried to tell herself she was doing it for his good. If Rufus still tried to maintain their relationship, he might end up ruining his reputation. And worst of all, he might even lose all his family and relatives.

Cassandra didn't want Rufus to lose his family. It was with a lot of difficulty that he finally reunited with the Tang family. She didn't want him to be isolated once again. And most importantly, she didn't want to be a hurdle in their relationship.

Once upon a time, Cassandra firmly believed that love could do anything. She thought love could grant her enormous power to overcome every problem.

It turned out that she was too naive back then.

"If you had no faith in our relationship then why did you fill my heart with hopes? Why did you come to Garden Villa!" Rufus yelled with clenched fists.

Physical pain was nothing compared to the emotional pain that Cassandra's piercing words had caused him.

"Rufus, I was divorced and lonely. In such a dire situation, I had to depend on someone. You're a handsome, rich and successful man. You offered me your care and support. Did I have any reason to decline it? No!" Cassandra retorted back, nonchalantly.

Once again, Cassandra's brutal words were like sharp knife, stabbing him straight in the heart. But this time it was not only Rufus who suffered, Cassandra's heart bled along with his.

"Cassandra, you're a cruel woman!"

Rufus stared at Cassandra who was trying hard to look malicious. Deep down she hoped he would leave her after hearing these fobidding words.

"Yes, I know. But the good news is you can leave me. Now that you know the truth, there is no reason for you to stay with me."

Cassandra smiled bitterly. In Rufus's eyes, now she had turned into a selfish and vain woman. 'I hope he won't make me speak more. I can't take this anymore, ' Cassandra pleaded internally, wanting him to leave.

Rufus stood up and took a final look at her. He then turned around and left.

He slammed the door shut, leaving behind a loud thud.

Standing still, Cassandra was on the brink of falling apart. Tears slowly streamed down her soft cheeks.

Days passed and Cassandra's life in the detention centre got harder and harder. Trials, interrogations and hearing records went on and on. She miserably pulled herself up to keep going.

Once inside the detention centre, she tried to come in terms with the fact that no one was going to help her. Throughout it all, she tried to look composed and unruffled. She had no one but herself to keep her encouraged. But one day, a police came to see her. She had no idea what was coming. He said, "You can go now."

Her heart was filled with relief. Cassandra walked out of the detention centre and the sun shinned brightly on her face. The weather was warm and delightful. Cassandra felt like she had woken up from a nightmare. 'I won't have to go back to this torture again, ' she thought delightfully.

As Cassandra passed a newsstand on the street, the headlines of newspapers caught her attention.

"Famous designer Michelle Ling tripped and fell from the third floor. After spending a whole week in coma, she finally regained her consciousness."

Now Cassandra realized why she was released. Michelle must have spoken to the police and announced Cassandra was innocent. Now people knew she had nothing to do with the accident. 'Now I can continue to live my life, ' Cassandra thought with a sigh. All content © N/.ôvel/Dr/ama.Org.

'But wait...what should I do now? I thought I wouldn't be set free, ' she thought. While she had been confined, Cloris had gone back to school abroad.

But now standing on the streets, Cassandra was wracking her mind for a shelter.

Finally, it dawned to her that she could go back to her apartment. Consumed in fatigue, all she wanted right now was a good sleep.

While she was making her way, a car stopped next to her. On a closer inspection, she recognized the man sitting in the car. It was her ex-husband, Lionel.

"Cassandra, where are you going? I can give you a lift," he offered.

From his friendly tone, Cassandra guessed he was in a good mood. In fact, Lionel had signed a few construction projects recently. His business was doing well.

Lionel knew that Cassandra was detained in the detention center. Jill had a tendency of talking about Cassandra behind her back. Sometimes, she would cross her limits. There were times when he would sprint out of the room because he couldn't take it anymore.

When he learned that Cassandra was detained, Lionel was deeply concerned. He didn't feel relieved until he saw the news today. Without wasting any time, he drove to the detention center and waited for Cassandra's arrival. His heart wouldn't let him relax until he saw she was safe.

He analyzed her from up to down and realized how haggard she looked. She didn't look like the Cassandra he was previously married to.