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 heavy by

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

ridding herself of

the next morning, aside from feeling a little sticky, she was in relatively good

took a shower, changed into

the dining room, and Mrs. Cooper immediately

he had breakfast?”

Elliot hasn’t come

glass of milk and a piece of toast, then began to wolf down

eating in under

afraid of him, Madam?”

see him,” Avery said,

little more time together,” said Mrs. Cooper.

something to do on campus today, so I won’t be having

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

her and said, “It’s fine. I’ll just

the odd jobs. I’ll get the other one

not

on campus, Avery turned to the driver and said, “Thank you.

ran up to Avery, tapped her

to bump in her best friend Tammy Lynch to be at the campus

as they walked into campus together. “Tammy, I

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

a smile and said, “Actually, I never really

marrying your boyfriend after graduation, right?” Tammy said. “When are you going to introduce me

Avery was taken aback.

told her mother of what had

that she was dating someone but had

like to have someone completely destroy your trust? I thought he

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

depending on myself

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

said, “I just hope I can take

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

cheeks flushed

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

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

you off this morning? Is he here to

remembered