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.

……

of the cold wind, but Avery’s head felt

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

all night, ridding herself of the chill

aside from feeling a little

into clean clothes, and went

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

had breakfast?” Avery

hasn’t come down

Avery picked up her glass of milk and a piece of toast, then began to wolf down her

was done eating in

that afraid of him, Madam?”

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

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

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

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

fine. I’ll just

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

could not

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

a young woman ran up to Avery, tapped her on the shoulder, and said, “Avery! Who was that Portia

did not expect to bump in her best friend Tammy Lynch

you,” Avery said as they walked into campus together. “Tammy, I

“Is it because of

I never really wanted

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

Avery was taken aback.

had only told her mother of what had happened

and classmates only knew that she was dating someone but had

“Do you know what it feels like to have someone completely destroy your trust? I thought he was the best man

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

better off depending on myself than

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

hope I

course! You’re the only double major I know who’s at top of the class in

cheeks flushed at

Tammy left the

Tammy instantly pointed at

Portia who dropped you off this morning? Is he here

remembered the