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 time she got

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

all night, ridding herself of the chill from the

feeling a

changed into clean clothes,

food to the dining room, and Mrs. Cooper immediately

had

Elliot hasn’t come

her glass of milk and a piece of toast,

eating in under five

you that afraid of him, Madam?” Mrs. Cooper

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

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

something to do on campus today,

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

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

home. One for Master Elliot and one for the odd jobs. I’ll get the other one to take you,” said

not win against

Avery turned to the driver and said, “Thank you. You can head back

drove off, a young woman ran up to Avery, tapped her on the shoulder, and

to bump in her best friend Tammy Lynch to be at

into campus

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

“Actually, I never really wanted to go

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

Avery was taken aback.

her mother of what had happened

classmates only knew that she was dating someone

She then took a deep breath and said, “Do you know what it feels like to have someone completely destroy your

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

myself than

sighed. “You were completely love-struck before summer break, but look at the mature young lady you’ve turned

just hope I can take care of myself after

only 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 at

Avery and Tammy left the campus together.

gates, Tammy instantly pointed

who dropped you off this morning? Is he here to pick you

still remembered