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.

……

but Avery’s head felt heavy by

blanket from the closet, wrapped herself in it, and

ridding herself of the

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

took a shower, changed into clean clothes, and went

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

he had breakfast?”

hasn’t come down

her glass of milk and a piece of toast,

done eating in under five

you that afraid of

Avery said, then lifted

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

on campus today, so

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

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

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

could not win

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

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

did not expect to bump in her best friend Tammy Lynch

as they walked into campus together.

of your family?

managed a smile and said, “Actually, I

after graduation, right?” Tammy said. “When are

Avery was taken aback.

mother of what

that she was dating someone

and said, “Do you know what it feels like to have someone completely destroy

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

depending on myself than a man,” Avery

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

just hope I can take care of myself

double major I know who’s at top of the class in both majors. The sky’s the limit for someone like you!” Tammy

flushed

left the campus together. They had planned to

instantly pointed at the

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

still remembered the