Chapter 442 All Yours (Part Two)


    "Since I have be an actress, you all have always cared about me and supported me, and I really


    appreciate it," she began in the video. "What''s more, my family and friends have always been by my


    side, looking after me, and offering words offort and encouragement even after the ident. I


    cannot describe how grateful I am. I will never be able to return your kindness," Lyndsy paused for a


    moment before continuing, her voice turning more serious. "However, I know that I''m an actress, and I


    take pride in my job. I know that my profession exists to show the beautiful side of things, which I''m


    afraid that I may fail to do in the future. And so I have decided," she paused again, her face conflicted.


    "My dear friends, I know it''s sudden, but please forgive me. I will be leaving the entertainment industry


    from this day. I will always be thankful for the chance I was given, but even good things muste to


    an end, and I''m afraid that this is where I stop. Thank you all for being with me this whole time. Good-


    bye." With that, the screen had cut to ck, but Cassandra''s eyes remained glued to her screen, as if


    waiting for something else.


    The video was short, but it had caused quite a sensation. There was an outpouring ofments from


    the viewers.


    Cassandra was stunned. It took her quite a while toe back to her senses.


    ''Now it made sense why Lyndsy wouldn''t let me go along when she left," she thought bitterly. ''She must


    have already made up her mind at that time."


    Come to think of it, Lyndsy must have fallen into depression after finishing that movie. The outgoing,


    care-free movie star was gone, and it was as if there was only a shell where the real Lyndsy had used


    to be. She had been more withdrawn and kept to herself, not contacting even her closest friends.


    Cassandra had first thought that it was because she needed time and space to recover from the


    ident. How could she have missed it? There was nothing she could do now. There was nothing she


    had done for her from the very beginning but gave her trouble, and now Lyndsy had quit something she


    spent her life doing.


    Cassandra''s throat tightened as she thought of the fact that Lyndsy had kept it from her till the end.


    ''Did you really just say that you''re sorry, Lyndsy?''


    Cassandra thought, as tears gathered in her eyelids.


    ''Why would anyone me you for this, Lyndsy? I should have been the one begging for your


    forgiveness!'' Cassandra''s heart bled in anguish as her tears flowed. ''It was all my fault!


    If it weren''t for me, you would have still been doing what you love. I''m so sorry.''


    She curled into herself, putting her arms around herself as she heaved, almost swallowed whole in her


    grief. Just as she felt herself sumbing, a familiar voice called out to her, "I knew you would be here."


    She looked up to Rufus''s dark and tender eyes. A pair of eyes filled with tenderness met hers. In an


    instant, it was as if a dam had broken inside her. She let go of her tears freely and


    she ran to him, pressing her lips softly to his and findingfort in his warmth.


    Rufus''s breath caught in his throat at the touch of her soft lips.


    "You are tempting me, Cassandra," he warned between breaths. His arms were around her at once,


    caressing the contours of her body.


    He did note here for this. He had wanted to control his emotions andfort her, but it seemed


    that it would be impossible when she was yielding to him like this.


    The kiss was brief and gentle, and Cassandra pulled herself back after some moments. Her eyes were


    pools of sadness, and Rufus felt as if he was drowning in the sorrow of her gaze. How could it be that


    she looked beautiful even in her sorrow?


    "Do you have an idea what you are doing?"


    he murmured, feeling unable to take his eyes off her—not even a second now that this woman had


    made him aroused.


    This belongs to N?velDrama.Org.


    Cassandra said nothing but gave him a smile instead. It was a rueful yet shockingly tempting smile,


    adding to her enchantment. She then burrowed deeper into the warmth of Rufus''s arms.


    There was nothing else that Rufus could do but acquiesce. He was at this woman''s mercy. He bent his


    head and closed the gap between them, kissing her gently until embers zed and there was a trail of


    fire that followed every caress. Surrendering to the heat, they shared their breaths as they lost


    themselves in each other.


    ******


    Cassandra was blushing and avoiding his gaze. She couldn''t believe that she had thrown herself at him


    like that. What was the matter with her?


    Rufus picked up quickly on her embarrassment and chuckled. Red dusted her cheeks and she


    deliberately looked away from him.


    He chuckled at the sight. Putting his arm around her shoulder, he pulled her closer to him.


    "I''ve seen the news about Lyndsy, too," he said, wanting to resolve the feelings that he knew were


    eating her up. "It was her own decision to quit. Just let it go, love," he murmuredfortingly.


    He came straight to her upon hearing the news, knowing that she would not take it well. The image of


    her excitedly telling him her ideas about Lyndsy''s career shed in his mind. He knew that her smile


    would be gone the moment Lyndsy announced her decision to quit.


    He could understand how she must be feeling. There was only disappointment waiting when one''s best


    efforts amounted to nothing in the end. As he thought, he found her looking defeated, her head hanging


    limply over her shoulders and her arms around herself. The sight of her like that pained him deeply. He


    wanted nothing more at that moment than to take her hurt away.


    But Rufus did notpletely understand. It took one look and Cassandra knew that he did not truly


    know what was paining her.


    It was not Lyndsy''s decision to quit that anguished her so much. She would have supported her if it was


    truly something she had personally decided on. But she knew that it was notpletely the case.


    It was her fault. The thought gnawed at her insides, tearing at every fiber of her being. ''The popr and


    shining Lyndsy, who had been noted as the most promising actress in the country, fell victim to my own


    circumstances. I dragged her there. I took her future. And yet here I am, safe and unscathed when she


    has to give up the thing she loves the most, '' Cassandra''s thoughts echoed, haunting every corner of


    her mind. There was nothing but guilt inside her.


    Cassandra''s silence only pained Rufus even more. He knew there were things she was not telling him


    —things that were still weighing heavily in her mind. But he held back from asking. If she wanted to,


    she would be the one telling him, even without his questions.


    So instead, he offered her his ownfort and told her of what he had secretly done. He buried his


    face in her neck and said softly, "I''ve bought this ce, Cassandra, and now I give it to you as a gift.


    Use it in any way you like, okay?"