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

blanket from the closet, wrapped herself in

night, ridding herself of the chill from the night

feeling

shower, changed into

of food to the dining

had

hasn’t come down

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

eating

of him, Madam?” Mrs.

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

after spending a little more time together,” said Mrs.

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

you there,” Mrs. Cooper

fine. I’ll just take a cab. He can have

the odd jobs. I’ll get

could not

“Thank you. You can head back

tapped her on the shoulder, and said,

to bump in her best friend Tammy Lynch to be at

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

it because of your family? I heard about your

said, “Actually, I never really

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

Avery was taken aback.

had only told her mother

that she was dating someone but had

She then took a deep 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, but he was nothing but

placed her arm around Avery’s waist when she saw her red eyes, and said, “Forget about that, Avery. We’re still young. Just think of

myself than a man,” Avery

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

hope I can take

at top of the class in both majors. The sky’s the limit for someone like you!”

flushed at the

left the

gates, Tammy instantly pointed at the

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

remembered the