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.

……

wind, but Avery’s head felt

blanket from the closet, wrapped herself in it, and fell into a deep

ridding herself of

aside from feeling a little sticky, she was in

shower, changed into clean clothes,

followed the smell of food to the dining room,

had breakfast?”

Elliot hasn’t come

Avery picked up her glass of milk and a piece of toast, then began

eating

you that afraid of him, Madam?” Mrs. Cooper

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

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

I have something to do on campus today, so

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

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

Elliot and one for the odd

not

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

young woman ran up to Avery, tapped her on the shoulder,

did not expect to bump in her best friend Tammy Lynch to be at

said as they walked into campus

“Is it because of your family?

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

your boyfriend after graduation, right?” Tammy said.

Avery was taken aback.

had only told her mother of what had happened with

classmates only knew that she was dating someone but had no

took a deep breath and said, “Do you know what it feels like to have someone completely destroy your trust? I thought

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

depending on myself than a man,”

sighed. “You were completely love-struck before summer break, but

and said, “I just hope

only double major I know who’s at top of the class in both majors. The sky’s the limit for someone like you!”

flushed at

Tammy left the campus together.

campus gates, Tammy instantly pointed at

the Mr. Portia who dropped you off

still remembered the