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.

……

Avery’s head felt heavy by the time

blanket from the closet, wrapped herself in it,

of the chill from the night

morning, aside from feeling a little sticky, she

took a shower, changed into clean clothes, and

food to the dining room, and

had breakfast?”

hasn’t come

and a piece of toast, then

was done eating in

you that afraid of

don’t want to see him,” Avery said, then lifted her chin slightly

spending a little more time together,” said Mrs.

to do on campus today, so I won’t be

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

fine. I’ll just take a

the odd jobs. I’ll get the other one to take you,”

not win

on campus, Avery turned to the driver and said, “Thank you. You can head back now. I’ll find my

Avery, tapped her on the shoulder, and said,

her best

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

said, “Is it because of your family? I heard about your dad. I’m so

I never really wanted to go

boyfriend after graduation, right?” Tammy said. “When are you going to introduce me

Avery was taken aback.

had only told her mother of what

was dating someone

broke up,” Avery said. She then took a deep breath and said, “Do you know what it feels like to have someone completely destroy your trust? I thought he was the best man in the

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

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

“I just hope I can take care of

the class in both majors. The sky’s the limit for someone like

flushed

Avery and Tammy left the campus together. They had planned

they arrived at the campus gates, Tammy instantly pointed at the Portia parked by the

dropped you off this morning? Is he here

remembered