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 the time she got to her

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

herself of the

aside from feeling a little

changed into

the dining room, and

had

Master Elliot hasn’t come

and a piece of

was done eating in

you that afraid of

not afraid… I just don’t want to see him,” Avery said, then

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

do on campus today, so I

take you there,” Mrs. Cooper said. She left,

“It’s fine. I’ll just take a cab. He can have the

and one for the odd jobs. I’ll

not win

“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

Portia’ to you,” Avery said as they walked into campus together. “Tammy, I don’t think I can go to graduate

it because of your family? I heard about your dad. I’m

smile and said, “Actually, I never

after graduation, right?” Tammy said. “When are you going to

Avery was taken aback.

her mother of what had happened

she was dating

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 the world, but he was nothing but human

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

on myself than a

were completely love-struck before summer break, but look at the mature young lady you’ve turned into

said, “I just hope I can take care

I know who’s at top of the class in both majors.

flushed

Avery and Tammy left the campus together.

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

Isn’t that the Mr. Portia who dropped you off this morning? Is

remembered the