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 by

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

all night, ridding herself of the chill from the night

aside from feeling a little sticky, she was in relatively good

took a shower, changed into

smell of food to the dining

he had

Elliot hasn’t come down

a piece of toast, then began to wolf

done eating

you that afraid of him,

to see him,” Avery said, then lifted

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

something to do on campus today, so

Cooper said. She left, intending to inform the

fine. I’ll just take a

Elliot and one for the odd jobs. I’ll get the other one

not win against

the driver and said, “Thank you.

Avery, tapped her on the shoulder,

her best friend Tammy Lynch to be at the campus

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

stopped in her tracks and said, “Is it because of your family? I heard about your dad.

a smile and said, “Actually, I never really

you’re thinking of marrying your boyfriend after graduation, right?” Tammy

Avery was taken aback.

only told her mother of what

only knew that she was dating someone but had no idea who he

took a deep breath and said, “Do you know what it feels like to have someone completely destroy your trust? I

when she saw her red eyes, and said, “Forget about that, Avery.

off depending on myself than a man,” Avery

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

just hope I can take care of myself after

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

cheeks flushed at

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

gates, Tammy instantly

who dropped you off this

remembered the