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.

……

because of the cold wind, but Avery’s head felt heavy by the time she got to

blanket from the closet, wrapped herself

ridding herself of the chill from the night

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

into clean

the smell of food to the dining room, and

he had breakfast?” Avery

Elliot hasn’t come

and a piece of toast, then began

eating in under

that afraid of him,

see him,” Avery said, then lifted her chin slightly

together,” said Mrs. Cooper.

on campus today, so I won’t be having

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

said, “It’s fine. I’ll just take a cab.

at 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 against

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

tapped her on the shoulder,

bump in her best friend Tammy

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

“Is it because of your family?

I never really wanted to go to graduate

you’re thinking of marrying your boyfriend after graduation, right?” Tammy

Avery was taken aback.

her mother of what

and classmates only knew that she was dating

said, “Do you know what it feels like to have someone completely destroy your trust? I thought

waist when she saw her red eyes, and said, “Forget about that, Avery. We’re

off depending on myself

grow,” Tammy sighed. “You were completely love-struck before summer break, but look at the mature young lady you’ve turned

“I just hope I can

at top of the class in both majors. The sky’s the limit for someone

flushed at the

left the campus together. They had planned to

campus gates, Tammy instantly

the Mr. Portia who dropped you off this morning? Is he

still remembered