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 the

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

of the chill

Avery woke up the next morning, aside from feeling a little sticky,

shower, changed into clean clothes, and went

to the dining room, and Mrs. Cooper immediately served

had breakfast?”

Master Elliot hasn’t come

milk and a piece of toast,

was done eating in under five

afraid of him, Madam?”

see him,” Avery said, then lifted her chin slightly and

more time together,” said Mrs. Cooper. “Will you be

do on campus today,

to take you there,” Mrs. Cooper

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

have two drivers at home. One for Master Elliot and one for the odd jobs. I’ll get the

not win

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

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

to bump in her best

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

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

“Actually, I never really wanted to

right?” Tammy

Avery was taken aback.

told her mother

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

know what it feels like to have someone completely destroy your trust? I thought he was the best man in

and said, “Forget about that, Avery.

off depending on myself than a man,” Avery

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

“I just hope I can

of the class in both

cheeks flushed at

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

the campus gates, Tammy instantly

dropped you off this morning? Is

still remembered