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

the closet, wrapped herself in it, and fell into a

of the chill from the

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

changed into

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

he had breakfast?” Avery

Master Elliot hasn’t come

a piece of

was done eating in under five

that afraid of him, Madam?” Mrs. Cooper

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

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

campus today, so

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

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

at home. One for Master Elliot and one for the odd jobs. I’ll get the

could not

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

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

her best friend Tammy Lynch to

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

tracks and said, “Is it because of your family? I

said, “Actually, I never really wanted to go to graduate

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

Avery was taken aback.

only told her mother of

and classmates only knew that she was dating someone

what it feels like to have someone completely destroy your trust? I thought he was the best man in the world, but he was nothing

she saw her red eyes, and said, “Forget about that, Avery. We’re still young.

myself than a

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

hope I can take care of myself

the class in both majors. The

cheeks flushed

in the evening, Avery and Tammy left the campus together. They had planned to have

arrived at the campus gates, Tammy instantly

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

remembered the