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

sweated all night, ridding herself of

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

shower, changed into clean clothes, and went

the dining

had breakfast?” Avery

Master Elliot hasn’t

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

was done eating in under five

that afraid of him, Madam?”

said, then lifted her chin slightly

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

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

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

I’ll just

home. One for Master Elliot and one for the odd jobs. I’ll get the other one to take you,” said Mrs.

could not win

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

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

her best friend Tammy Lynch to be

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

tracks and said, “Is it because of your family? I heard about your dad. I’m

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

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

Avery was taken aback.

her mother of what

was

and said, “Do you know what it feels like to have

her 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 as a lesson learned. You’ll definitely

myself than a man,” Avery

sighed. “You were completely love-struck before summer break, but

her head and said, “I just hope I can take care of

the only double major I know who’s at top of the class in both majors. The

cheeks flushed at

and Tammy left the campus together.

arrived at the campus gates, Tammy instantly pointed at the

who dropped you off this

remembered