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.

……

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

out a thick blanket from the closet, wrapped herself

all night, ridding herself of the

aside from feeling a little sticky, she was

a shower, changed into clean

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

had

Master Elliot hasn’t come down

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

was done eating in under five

afraid of him,

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

together,” said Mrs. Cooper. “Will you be

campus today, so I won’t be having dinner at

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

said, “It’s fine. I’ll just take a cab.

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

not win

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

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

to bump in her best

‘Mr. Portia’ to you,” Avery said as they walked into campus together. “Tammy,

stopped in her tracks and said, “Is it because of your

“Actually, I never

right?” Tammy said. “When are you going to introduce me to

Avery was taken aback.

told her mother of what had

only knew that she was dating someone

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

and said, “Forget about that, Avery. We’re still young. Just think of it as a

depending on myself than

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

shook her head and said, “I just hope I can take

I know who’s at top of the class in

cheeks flushed at the

Tammy left the

campus gates, Tammy instantly pointed at the

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

remembered the