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.

……

head felt

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

of

aside from feeling a little sticky, she

shower, changed into clean clothes, and went

the dining room, and Mrs. Cooper

he had breakfast?”

Master Elliot hasn’t come

glass of milk and a piece of toast, then began to wolf

eating in

afraid of him,

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

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

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

there,” Mrs. Cooper said. She left, intending to inform the driver of his

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

drivers at home. One for Master Elliot and one for the odd jobs.

not win against

arrived on campus, Avery turned to the driver and said, “Thank you.

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

in her best friend Tammy Lynch to be at the

‘Mr. Portia’ to you,” Avery said as they walked into campus

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

managed a smile and said, “Actually, I never really wanted

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

Avery was taken aback.

told her mother of what had happened

was dating someone but had no

“Do you know what it feels like to have someone completely destroy your trust? I thought he was the best man in the world,

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 someone even

better off depending on myself than

through some heartbreak to grow,” Tammy sighed. “You were completely love-struck before summer break, but

just hope I can

the class in both majors. The sky’s

flushed at the

five in the evening, Avery and Tammy left the campus together. They had planned

instantly

dropped you off this morning? Is he here to pick

still remembered