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

took out a thick blanket from the closet, wrapped herself in it, and

night, ridding herself of the chill

feeling a

took a shower, changed into clean clothes, and went

dining room, and Mrs. Cooper immediately served her

had breakfast?” Avery

hasn’t come down

this, Avery picked up her glass of milk and a piece of toast, then began to wolf

was done eating in

you that afraid of him, Madam?”

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

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

today, so I won’t

take you there,” Mrs. Cooper said. She

her and said, “It’s fine. I’ll just take a cab. He can have

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

not

“Thank

off, a young woman ran up to Avery, tapped her on the shoulder, and said, “Avery!

to bump in her best friend Tammy Lynch to be

as they walked into campus together.

said, “Is it because of your family? I

“Actually, I never really wanted to

boyfriend after graduation, right?” Tammy said.

Avery was taken aback.

mother of what had

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

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

said, “Forget about that, Avery.

off depending on myself

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

and said, “I just hope

course! You’re the only double major I know who’s at top of the class in

cheeks flushed at

Avery and Tammy left the campus together. They had planned to

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

off this morning? Is he here to pick you

still remembered the