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 heavy by the

the closet, wrapped herself in it,

sweated all night, ridding herself of the chill from the

Avery woke up the next morning, aside from feeling a little sticky, she

took a shower, changed into clean clothes, and

food to the dining room, and Mrs. Cooper

had

Elliot hasn’t

milk and a piece of toast,

done eating in

that afraid of him, Madam?” Mrs. Cooper

to see him,” Avery said, then lifted

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

I have something to do on campus today,

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

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

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

“Thank you. You can head

ran up to Avery, tapped her

her best friend Tammy Lynch to

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

of your

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

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

Avery was taken aback.

had only told her mother of what had happened

that she was dating someone but had no idea who

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

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

on myself than a man,”

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

“I just hope I can take care of

of the class in

flushed

five in the evening, Avery and Tammy left the campus together. They

instantly pointed at

off this morning? Is

remembered the