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 heavy by the

thick blanket from the closet, wrapped

herself of the

next morning, aside from feeling a

a shower, changed into clean clothes,

of food to the dining room,

had

hasn’t

this, Avery picked up her glass of milk and a

was done eating in

you that afraid of him, Madam?”

not afraid… I just don’t want to see him,” Avery said, then lifted

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

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

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

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 the other one to take you,” said

not

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

tapped

bump in her best friend Tammy Lynch

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

and said, “Is it because of your

a smile and said, “Actually, I never really

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

Avery was taken aback.

only told her mother of what had happened

and classmates only knew that she was dating someone but had no idea who he

you know what it feels like to have someone

she saw her red eyes, and said, “Forget about that, Avery. We’re still young. Just think of

on myself

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

her head and said, “I 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 like

flushed at

Tammy left the

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

that the Mr. Portia who dropped you off this

still remembered the