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.

……

it was because of the cold wind, but Avery’s head felt heavy

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

of the chill from

next morning, aside from feeling a little sticky, she

shower, changed into clean clothes,

the dining room, and Mrs. Cooper immediately

he had breakfast?” Avery

Elliot hasn’t come down

glass of milk and a

was done eating in under five

that afraid of him,

I just don’t want to see him,” Avery said, then lifted her chin slightly and added, “Seeing him makes me

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

campus today, so I won’t be having

I’ll go get the driver to take you there,” Mrs. Cooper said. She left,

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

one for the odd jobs. I’ll get the other one to take

not win

they had arrived on campus, Avery turned to the driver and said, “Thank you. You can head back now.

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

best friend Tammy Lynch to be at the campus

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

and said, “Is it because of your family?

“Actually, I never really

your boyfriend after graduation, right?”

Avery was taken aback.

told her mother of what had happened with

friends and classmates only knew that she was dating someone but had no

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

that, Avery. We’re still young. Just think of it as a lesson learned. You’ll definitely meet

depending on myself than a man,” Avery

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

said, “I just hope I can take care

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

flushed

the campus together. They had planned to

instantly pointed

you off this

remembered the