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.

……

Avery’s head felt heavy

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

herself of the chill from

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

changed into clean clothes,

food to the dining room,

had

hasn’t come down

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

done eating

afraid of him, Madam?”

said,

fine after spending a little more time together,” said Mrs. Cooper.

campus today, so I won’t be having dinner

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

I’ll just take a cab. He can have the

have two drivers at home. One for Master Elliot and one for the odd jobs. I’ll

could not

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

ran up to Avery, tapped

expect to bump in her best friend

‘Mr. Portia’ to you,” Avery said as they walked into campus together. “Tammy, I don’t think I

because of your family? I heard

smile and said, “Actually, I never

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

Avery was taken aback.

only told her mother of what had

that she was dating someone but

said. She then took a deep breath and said, “Do you know what it feels like to have someone completely destroy your trust? I thought he was the best man in

“Forget about that, Avery. We’re still young. Just think of it as a

better off depending on myself

love-struck before summer break, but look at the mature young lady you’ve turned

said, “I just hope I can take care of myself after

You’re the only double major I know who’s at top of the class in both

flushed at the

five in the evening, Avery and Tammy left the

instantly pointed at the Portia parked by

Mr. Portia who dropped you off this

still remembered the