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.

……

but Avery’s head felt heavy

blanket from the closet, wrapped herself in it, and

herself of

next morning, aside from feeling a little sticky, she was

took a shower, changed into clean clothes, and

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

he had breakfast?”

hasn’t come

of milk and a piece

was done eating in under five

that afraid of him, Madam?”

said, then lifted her chin slightly and added,

time together,” said Mrs. Cooper. “Will you be

to do on campus today,

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

I’ll just

One for Master Elliot and one for the odd jobs. I’ll get the

not

“Thank you. You can head back now. I’ll find my own way

off, a young woman ran up to Avery, tapped her on the shoulder, and said, “Avery! Who was that

did not expect to bump in her best friend Tammy Lynch to be at the campus

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

said, “Is it because of your family? I heard about your dad. I’m so

smile and said, “Actually, I never really wanted

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

Avery was taken aback.

mother of what had happened with

friends and classmates only knew that she was dating someone but had no idea

know what it feels like to have someone completely destroy your

arm around Avery’s waist when she saw her red eyes, and said, “Forget about that, Avery. We’re still young. Just think of it as a lesson learned. You’ll definitely meet

myself than a man,”

grow,” Tammy sighed. “You were completely love-struck before summer break, but look at the mature young lady you’ve turned

just hope I can

only double major I know who’s at top of the class in both majors. The sky’s the limit

cheeks flushed at the

the campus together.

at the campus gates, Tammy instantly pointed at the Portia parked by the

you off this morning? Is he

still remembered