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.

……

the cold wind, but Avery’s head felt heavy by the time she

closet, wrapped herself in it, and fell into

night, ridding herself of the chill

feeling a little sticky, she was

changed into clean clothes,

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

he had breakfast?” Avery

hasn’t come down

of milk and a piece of toast, then began to

done eating in

of him, Madam?”

want to see him,” Avery said, then lifted her chin

more time together,” said Mrs. Cooper. “Will

campus today, so I won’t

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

said, “It’s fine. I’ll just take

home. One for Master Elliot and one for the odd

not

Avery turned to the driver and said, “Thank you. You can head

driver drove off, a young woman ran up to Avery, tapped her on the shoulder, and

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

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

her tracks and said, “Is it because of your family? I heard about your

and said, “Actually, I never really wanted

graduation, right?” Tammy said. “When are you going to introduce

Avery was taken aback.

had only told her mother

knew that she was dating someone but had no

feels like to have someone completely destroy your trust? I thought he was the best man in

and said, “Forget about that, Avery. We’re still young. Just think of it as a lesson learned. You’ll definitely meet someone

better off depending on myself than

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

shook her head and said, “I just hope

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

flushed at the

evening, Avery and Tammy left the campus

instantly pointed at the Portia parked by

Mr. Portia who dropped you off this morning? Is he here

remembered the