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.

……

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

thick blanket from the closet, wrapped herself in it, and fell

night, ridding herself of the chill from

morning, aside from feeling a little sticky, she

took a shower, changed into

the dining

he had breakfast?”

hasn’t come down

her glass of milk and a piece of toast, then began to

eating

of him, Madam?” Mrs. Cooper

see him,” Avery said,

little more time together,”

today, so I won’t be having

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

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

for the odd jobs.

could not win against

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

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

her best friend Tammy Lynch to

into campus together. “Tammy, I don’t think I can go to

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

said, “Actually, I never really wanted to go

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

Avery was taken aback.

her mother of what

classmates only knew that she was dating someone but had no idea who

breath and said, “Do you know what it feels like to have someone completely destroy your trust? I thought he was the best man in the world,

that, Avery. We’re still young. Just think of it as a lesson learned. You’ll definitely

off depending on myself than a

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

“I just hope I can

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

cheeks flushed at the

and Tammy left the campus together. They had planned to have dinner

instantly pointed at the

dropped you off

still remembered