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.

……

the cold wind, but Avery’s head felt heavy by

closet, wrapped herself in it, and fell into a

all night, ridding herself of

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

took a shower, changed into

followed the smell of food to the dining room, and Mrs. Cooper immediately served her

he had breakfast?”

Master Elliot hasn’t come down

Avery picked up her glass of milk and a piece of

was done eating in under five

that afraid of him, Madam?” Mrs. Cooper

him,” Avery said, then lifted

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

today, so I won’t be

driver to take you there,” Mrs. Cooper said. She

fine. I’ll just take a cab.

Elliot and one for the odd jobs. I’ll get the other one

could not win

arrived on campus, Avery turned to the driver and said, “Thank

tapped her on

best friend Tammy Lynch to be at the campus

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

tracks and said, “Is it because of your family?

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

boyfriend after graduation, right?” Tammy

Avery was taken aback.

had only told her mother of what had happened

friends and classmates only knew that she was dating someone but

know what it feels like to have someone completely destroy your trust? I

red eyes, and said, “Forget about that, Avery. We’re still young. Just think of it as a lesson learned. You’ll

better off depending on myself than a man,”

to go through some heartbreak to grow,” Tammy sighed. “You were completely love-struck before summer break, but look at

shook her head and said, “I just hope I can take

I know who’s at top of the class in both majors. The sky’s the limit

cheeks flushed

in the evening, Avery and Tammy left the campus together. They had planned to

instantly pointed at the Portia parked by

Isn’t that the Mr. Portia who dropped you off this morning? Is he here to pick

still remembered the