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.

……

was because of the cold wind, but Avery’s head felt heavy

wrapped herself in it, and fell into

sweated all night, ridding herself of the chill from the

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

shower, changed into clean

to the dining room, and Mrs. Cooper

he had

Elliot hasn’t come

this, Avery picked up her glass of milk and a piece of

was done eating

of him, Madam?” Mrs.

I just don’t want to see him,” Avery said, then

spending a little more time together,”

campus today,

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

said, “It’s fine. I’ll just take

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

could not win against

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

tapped her

did not expect to bump in her best friend

as they walked into campus together. “Tammy, I don’t think I can go to graduate

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

“Actually, I never really wanted to go to graduate

marrying your boyfriend after graduation, right?”

Avery was taken aback.

mother of what had

was dating someone but had no idea

know what it feels like to have someone completely destroy your

eyes, and said, “Forget about that, Avery. We’re still

off depending on myself than a man,” Avery

through some heartbreak to grow,” Tammy sighed. “You were completely love-struck before summer

“I just hope I can take care of myself after

the only double major I know who’s at top of the class in both majors. The sky’s

flushed

Avery and Tammy left the campus

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

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

remembered the