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.

……

cold wind, but Avery’s head felt heavy by the

wrapped herself in it, and fell into a

herself of

aside from feeling a

shower, changed into clean clothes, and

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

he had

hasn’t come down

milk and a piece of toast, then began to wolf

done eating in under

of him, Madam?”

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

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

to do on campus today, so I won’t be

Cooper said. She

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

the odd jobs. I’ll get the other one

could not

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

tapped her on the shoulder, and said, “Avery! Who was that Portia

not expect to bump in her best friend

they walked into campus together. “Tammy, I don’t think I can go to graduate school

it because of your family? I

managed a smile and said, “Actually, I never really wanted to

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

Avery was taken aback.

had only told her mother of what

classmates only knew that she was dating someone

said, “Do you know what it feels like to have someone completely

she saw her red eyes, and said, “Forget about that, Avery. We’re still young.

depending on myself than

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

just hope I can take care of

the class in

flushed at the

and Tammy left the campus together. They had planned

arrived at the campus gates, Tammy instantly

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

still remembered the