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

out a thick blanket from the closet, wrapped herself in

of the

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

a shower, changed into

the dining room, and Mrs. Cooper

he had breakfast?”

Elliot hasn’t come

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

eating in under five

afraid of him, Madam?” Mrs.

Avery said, then lifted her

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

on campus today, so I won’t be having dinner at

Mrs. Cooper said. She left, intending to inform the driver of his

immediately stopped her and said, “It’s fine. I’ll just take a

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

could not

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

tapped her on the shoulder, and said, “Avery!

did not expect to bump in her best

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

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

I

you’re thinking of marrying your boyfriend after graduation, right?” Tammy said. “When

Avery was taken aback.

mother of what had

was dating someone but had no idea

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

arm around Avery’s waist when she saw her red eyes, and said, “Forget about that, Avery. We’re still young. Just

depending on myself than a

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

said, “I just hope I can take care

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

cheeks flushed

Tammy left the campus together. They had planned

at the campus gates, Tammy instantly pointed at the

Portia who dropped you off this morning? Is he

remembered the