When His Eyes Opened

Chapter 17

The car sped past Avery, leaving a trail of dust.

She lifted her head and saw the blurry tail lights of the Rolls-Roice in the darkness.

Was that Elliot’s car?

She wiped the tears off her face, calmed herself down, and walked toward the house.

She saw the car parked in the courtyard when she arrived.

She waited outside in hopes of going in after Elliot had gone to his room.

Her eyes stung. She looked up at the stars shining brightly in the night sky.

It was a beautiful spring night.

Before she knew it, she had been standing outside for an hour.

The driver had already moved the car into the garage.

The lights in the living room were still on, but there was nobody in sight.

Avery felt normal, so she walked slowly into the house.

On the veranda on the second floor, Elliot, dressed in a grey robe, was sitting in his wheelchair. The last dregs of wine sat at the bottom of his wine glass.

He had watched Avery the entire hour that she had stood outside in the cold.

He could not figure out the thoughts that would lead her to spend an entire hour out in the cold. She was so still that she could have easily blended in with the trees that stood next to her.

Elliot had met countless intelligent minds in his lifetime because they were the only people worthy enough to stand by his side.

However, Avery was an exception.

He did not consider her bright because she had provoked him despite knowing what kind of man he was.

She was an extremely foolish woman.

Seeing her miserable, however, affected his mood in a peculiar way.

It was a feeling that he had never felt before.

……

cold wind, but Avery’s head felt heavy by the time she got

closet, wrapped herself in

herself of the chill from

feeling a little sticky, she was in relatively good

a shower, changed into

the smell of food to the dining room, and Mrs. Cooper

had breakfast?” Avery

hasn’t come down

of milk and a piece of toast, then began to

eating

you that afraid of him, Madam?”

want to see him,” Avery said, then lifted her chin

together,” said Mrs. Cooper.

won’t. I have something to do on campus today, so I won’t

get the driver to take you there,” Mrs. Cooper said. She

stopped her and said, “It’s fine. I’ll

for the odd jobs. I’ll get the other one to take

not win

the driver and said, “Thank you. You can head back now. I’ll find

ran up to Avery, tapped her

bump in her best friend Tammy Lynch

they walked into campus together. “Tammy, I don’t think I

and said, “Is it because of your family?

and said, “Actually, I never

of marrying your boyfriend after graduation, right?” Tammy said. “When

Avery was taken aback.

her mother of

that she was dating someone

a deep breath and said, “Do you know what it feels like to have someone completely destroy

when she saw her red eyes, and said, “Forget about that, Avery. We’re still young. Just think of it as a lesson

depending on myself than

completely love-struck before summer break, but look at

“I just hope I can take care of

double major I know who’s at top of the class in both majors. The sky’s the limit for someone like you!” Tammy

flushed

evening, Avery and Tammy left the campus together. They

gates, Tammy instantly pointed at the Portia

Isn’t that the Mr. Portia who dropped you off this morning? Is he here to pick

remembered