Chapter 511 True Colors (Part Two)

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Cassandra had never seen Rufus so at ease ever since she met him for the first time. He had always been stoic and unreadable, focused solely on getting things done. It was impossible for other people to guess what he was thinking.

But he had changed quietly. The shift had been so natural that even Cassandra didn't know where it all began. It seemed that the man who was playing snow with her was the genuine Rufus, rid of all the walls and disguises. He was still the same little boy before his mother passed away. She felt a small smile tug at the corner of her lips at the thought that it was her he was showing this to, like he was certain and ready for her to step into his heart and touch it at any time.

The man who was on the verge of slipping out of her hand was going away. Cassandra felt that she and Rufus were closer than ever. They had become permanent and central pieces to each other's lives.

Inside her room, Edith watched the lovers playing like children in the snow. A relieved smile rested on her face at the sight.

She felt a small, warm happiness wrapping her in its blanket as she watched Cassandra's smile. As long as her daughter was happy, nothing else mattered to her.

Although, Rufus did surprise her. Gone was the cold and gloomy face he wore before people. In its place was a man who was happily playing in the snow with his beloved. His laugh was so infectious that even she couldn't help but chuckle quietly along with him.

Edith's eyes followed the two fondly. For a long moment, she basked in the wonder of the beautiful life she had now.

Happiness was always a brief, fleeting thing, and the day passed quickly. That night, both Edith and Cassandra treated Rufus like always, the weight of the earlier conversations forgotten in the midst of familial warmth.

Cassandra sensed that Ruf

“Do you still want to run away after what happened last night?”

Their relationship changes overnight. She tries to keep her distance from him, while he comes closer and closer.

Spoiling her, he gives her everything she desires. His only wish is to keep her around. The whole world is envious of what she has.

“Never rush in a relationship,” she says calmly.

"

Cassandra asked him teasingly.

"What do you mean?" Rufus asked back, wondering what she meant.

He didn't understand the implication of her words, but her delight did not escape his notice. She lightened up as she asked the question, like a mischievous girl with a secret.

"I mean, you were an iceberg before, but now you're like a warm flame. It's like you've completely switched to another element,"

Cassandra said, her eyes sparkling like stars at night.

Rufus stiffened, taken aback at her answer. Her words rang inside his head for a moment, like a clear answer. Then he stepped forward and wrapped his arms around her waist.

"Hmm. I don't think I'm satisfied with just being a flame. It seems that I need to try harder," he whispered.

"I wish I was raging fire. That way I can keep you warm, and burn everything that could hurt you. I would even burn myself to ash, if that means I could make you happy."

He rested his forehead against hers as he spoke. Tears formed at the corner of Cassandra's eyes as she listened to him.

"I love you, Rufus. I want you just as you are!" she murmured, immersed in his arms.

No matter how cold the winter was, they would always be each other's sun.