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.

……

of the cold wind, but Avery’s head felt heavy by the time she got

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

ridding herself of the chill from

aside from feeling a little sticky, she was

took a shower, changed into clean clothes, and went

to the dining room, and Mrs. Cooper immediately

he had breakfast?” Avery

Elliot hasn’t come

milk and a piece of toast, then began to wolf

done eating in under

afraid of him,

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

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

do on campus today, so I won’t be

Cooper said. She left, intending to

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

Elliot and one for the

not win against

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

tapped her on

best friend Tammy Lynch to be

Avery said as they walked into campus together.

stopped in her tracks and said, “Is it because of your family? I heard about

I never really wanted to go

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

Avery was taken aback.

her mother of what

knew that she was dating someone

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

and said, “Forget about that, Avery.

on myself than

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 you’ve

hope I can take care of myself

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

cheeks flushed at

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

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

Portia who dropped you off this morning? Is he

still remembered