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.

……

head felt heavy

out a thick blanket from the closet, wrapped herself

night, ridding herself of the chill

morning, aside from feeling a little sticky,

shower, changed into clean clothes, and

the dining room, and

had breakfast?” Avery

Elliot hasn’t come

of milk and a piece of toast, then began

eating

afraid of him, Madam?” Mrs. Cooper

want to see him,” Avery said, then lifted

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

do on campus today, so I won’t

Mrs. Cooper said.

said, “It’s fine. I’ll just take

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

not

“Thank you. You can head back now. I’ll find my own way home

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

not expect to bump in her best

a cutie. It’s ‘Mr. Portia’ to you,” Avery said as they walked into campus together. “Tammy, I don’t think I can go to graduate

in her tracks and said, “Is it because of

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

your boyfriend after graduation, right?” Tammy

Avery was taken aback.

told her mother of

knew that she was dating someone but had no idea who he

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

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

on myself than

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

her head and said, “I just hope I can take care of myself

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

flushed

the campus

instantly pointed at

dropped you off this morning?

remembered the