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.

……

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,

sweated all night, ridding herself of the chill

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

took a shower, changed into clean clothes, and

the dining room, and Mrs.

had breakfast?”

Master Elliot hasn’t come down

milk and a piece of toast, then began to

was done eating in under five

afraid of him,

don’t want to see him,” Avery said, then lifted her chin slightly

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

today, so

the driver to take you there,” Mrs. Cooper

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

and one for the odd jobs. I’ll get the other one to take you,” said

not win

“Thank you. You can

to Avery, tapped her on the shoulder,

her best friend Tammy Lynch to be

said as they walked into campus together. “Tammy,

tracks and said, “Is it because of your family? I heard about your dad. I’m

a smile and said, “Actually, I

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

Avery was taken aback.

only told her mother

and classmates only knew that she was dating someone but had

broke up,” 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

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 it as a lesson learned. You’ll definitely meet someone

myself than a

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

shook her head and said, “I just hope I can take care of

major I know who’s at top of the

cheeks flushed at

five in the evening, Avery and Tammy left the campus together. They

at the campus gates, Tammy instantly pointed

Portia who dropped you off this morning? Is he here to pick

still remembered