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.

……

because of the cold wind, but Avery’s head felt heavy by the time she got

thick blanket from the closet, wrapped

of the chill from the night

morning, aside from feeling a little sticky, she was in

a shower, changed into clean clothes, and

of food to the dining

had breakfast?”

Elliot hasn’t

milk and a piece of toast, then

eating in

of him,

want to see him,” Avery said, then lifted her chin

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

something to do on campus today, so

driver to take you there,” Mrs. Cooper said. She left, intending to inform the driver of

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

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

not win

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

tapped her on

did not expect to bump in her best friend

a cutie. It’s ‘Mr. Portia’ to you,” Avery said as they walked into campus together.

said, “Is it because of

said, “Actually, I

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

Avery was taken aback.

only told her mother of what had

and classmates only knew that she was

you know what it feels like to have someone completely destroy your

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

better off depending on myself than a man,”

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

head and said, “I just hope I can

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

cheeks flushed at

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

instantly pointed at the Portia parked

who dropped you off

still remembered