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.

……

but Avery’s head felt heavy

the closet, wrapped herself in

sweated all night, ridding herself of the chill from the night

next morning, aside from feeling a

shower, changed into clean clothes, and

followed the smell of food to the dining room, and Mrs. Cooper

had

hasn’t come down

of milk and a piece of

was done eating in under five

you that afraid of him, Madam?” Mrs.

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

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

do on campus today, so I won’t be having dinner at home

get the driver to take you there,” Mrs. Cooper said.

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

home. One for Master Elliot and one for the odd jobs.

could not win against

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

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

best friend Tammy Lynch to be at the

to you,” Avery said as they walked into campus together.

of your family?

and said, “Actually, I never really wanted to

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

Avery was taken aback.

had only told her mother of what had

was dating someone but had no idea

like to have someone completely destroy your trust? I thought he was the best man in the world, but he

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

myself than a man,”

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

and said, “I just hope I can take care

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

flushed at the

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

instantly pointed at

you off this morning? Is he here

still remembered the