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

out a thick blanket from the closet, wrapped herself in it, and fell into

all night, ridding herself of the chill

morning, aside from feeling a little sticky, she

changed into clean clothes, and went

dining room, and Mrs.

he had

hasn’t come

picked up her glass of milk and a piece of toast, then began to wolf down her

eating in under

afraid of him, Madam?”

I just don’t want to see him,” Avery said, then lifted her

little more time together,” said Mrs.

to do on campus today, so I won’t be having dinner at home

to take you there,” Mrs. Cooper said. She left, intending

said, “It’s fine. I’ll just take

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

not

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

ran up to Avery, tapped her on the shoulder, and said, “Avery! Who was

expect to bump in her best friend Tammy Lynch to be

you,” Avery said as they walked into campus together. “Tammy, I don’t think I can go to graduate school with

because of your family? I heard about your dad. I’m

and said, “Actually, I never really wanted to go to graduate

thinking of marrying your boyfriend after graduation, right?” Tammy said. “When are you going to introduce

Avery was taken aback.

mother of what had happened

that she was dating someone but had no idea who

it feels like to have someone completely destroy your trust? I thought he was the best man in the world, but he was nothing but human

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

better off depending on myself than

love-struck before summer break, but look at the mature young lady

her head and said, “I just hope I

the class in both majors. The sky’s

flushed at the

Avery and Tammy left the campus together. They had

gates, Tammy instantly pointed at the Portia parked

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

still remembered