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 time she got to her

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

night, ridding herself of the chill from

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

shower, changed into clean

food to the dining room, and Mrs. Cooper immediately served

had

Elliot hasn’t come down

a piece of toast,

was done eating in under

of him,

Avery said, then lifted her chin slightly and added, “Seeing him

more time together,”

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

you there,” Mrs. Cooper said. She

“It’s fine. I’ll

one for the odd jobs. I’ll

could not win

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

Avery, tapped

best friend Tammy Lynch to be at the campus

you,” Avery said as they walked into campus together. “Tammy, I don’t think I

and said, “Is it because of

smile and said, “Actually, I never

you’re thinking of marrying your boyfriend after graduation, right?” Tammy said. “When

Avery was taken aback.

her mother of what had happened with

she was dating someone but

Avery said. 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 human

said, “Forget about that, Avery. We’re still young. Just think of it as a lesson

on myself than

“You were completely love-struck before summer break, but look at the mature young

hope I

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

flushed at the

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

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

Mr. Portia who dropped you off this morning? Is

still remembered