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 felt heavy by the time she got

wrapped herself in it, and fell into a deep

ridding herself of the chill from the

from feeling a

changed into

food to the dining room, and Mrs. Cooper immediately

had breakfast?”

hasn’t

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

eating in

of

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

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

on campus today, so

you there,” Mrs. Cooper said. She left, intending to inform

fine. I’ll just take a cab. He can have

two drivers at home. One for Master Elliot and one for the odd jobs. I’ll get the other one

not win

said, “Thank you. You can head

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

expect to bump in her best

not a cutie. It’s ‘Mr. Portia’ to you,” Avery said as they walked into

and said, “Is it because of

smile and said, “Actually, I never really wanted

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

Avery was taken aback.

told her mother of what had

knew that she was dating someone but

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

“Forget about that, Avery. We’re still young. Just think of it as a lesson learned. You’ll definitely meet

off depending on myself than a man,”

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

said, “I just hope I can take care of myself after

know who’s at top of the class in both

flushed at the

evening, Avery and Tammy left the campus together.

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

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

remembered