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 by the time she

wrapped herself in

all night, ridding herself of the chill from

the next morning, aside from feeling

shower, changed into clean clothes, and

smell of food to the dining room, and Mrs.

had breakfast?”

Elliot hasn’t come

a

eating in under

afraid of him, Madam?” Mrs.

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

together,” said Mrs.

to do on campus today, so I won’t be

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

fine. I’ll just take a cab. He can

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

not win

and said, “Thank you. You can head back now.

a young woman ran up to Avery, tapped her on the

best friend Tammy Lynch to be at the

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

it because of

a smile and said, “Actually, I never really wanted to go

right?” Tammy said. “When are

Avery was taken aback.

told her mother

and classmates only knew that she was dating someone

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

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

myself than a

“You were completely love-struck before summer break, but look at the mature young lady you’ve

“I just hope I can take

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

flushed

left the campus together.

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

off

remembered