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

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

ridding herself of

woke up the next morning, aside from feeling a little sticky,

took a shower, changed into clean clothes, and

food to the dining room, and Mrs. Cooper immediately served her

he had

hasn’t come down

and a piece of toast, then began to wolf down

was done eating in under

you that afraid of him, Madam?” Mrs. Cooper

said, then lifted her chin slightly and added, “Seeing him

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

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

you there,” Mrs. Cooper said. She left,

fine. I’ll just take a

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

not

turned to the driver and said, “Thank you. You can head back now. I’ll find my own way home

young woman ran up to Avery, tapped her on the shoulder, and said,

to bump in her best friend Tammy Lynch to be at the campus

walked into

it because of

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

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

Avery was taken aback.

had only told her mother of

she was dating someone but had no idea who he

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

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

myself than a

Tammy sighed. “You were completely love-struck before summer break, but look at the mature

head and said, “I just hope

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

cheeks flushed at the

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

instantly pointed at

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

still remembered the