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.

……

but Avery’s head felt

took out a thick blanket from the closet, wrapped herself in

sweated all night, ridding herself of the chill from

feeling a little

took a shower, changed into clean

the dining room, and

he had breakfast?”

Elliot hasn’t

a piece of toast, then began to wolf down her

eating in

afraid of him, Madam?” Mrs. Cooper

Avery said, then lifted her chin slightly and added,

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

to do on campus today, so I won’t

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

and said, “It’s fine. I’ll

Master Elliot and one for the

not win

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

Avery, tapped her on the shoulder, and said, “Avery! Who was that Portia

best

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

her 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 go

thinking of marrying your boyfriend after graduation, right?” Tammy said.

Avery was taken aback.

told her mother

that she was dating someone

Avery said. She then 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

eyes, and said, “Forget about that, Avery. We’re still young. Just think

on myself than a man,”

grow,” Tammy sighed. “You were completely love-struck before summer break, but look

just hope I

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

flushed at

left the campus together. They had planned to have

instantly pointed at the Portia

dropped you off

remembered