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

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

all night, ridding herself of the chill from

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

took a shower, changed into clean clothes, and went

smell of food to the dining room, and Mrs.

had breakfast?” Avery

Elliot hasn’t

up her glass of milk and a piece of toast, then began

done eating in under

of

just don’t want to see him,” Avery said, then lifted

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

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

Cooper said.

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

two drivers at home. One for Master Elliot and one for the odd

not win

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

off, a young woman ran up to Avery, tapped her on the

not expect to bump in her best friend Tammy Lynch to be at

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

because of your

smile and said, “Actually, I never really wanted to go

graduation, right?” Tammy

Avery was taken aback.

told her mother of

was dating someone but had

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

that, Avery. We’re still young. Just

off depending on myself

completely love-struck before summer break, but look at the mature

head 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

cheeks flushed at the

and Tammy left the campus together.

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

dropped you off this morning? Is he here to

still remembered the