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

blanket from the closet, wrapped

sweated all night, ridding herself of

up the next morning, aside from feeling

into clean clothes, and went

smell of food to the dining

he had

Master Elliot hasn’t come

up her glass of milk and a piece of toast, then

was done eating in under five

afraid of

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

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

on campus today, so

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

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

could not win against

Avery turned to the driver and said, “Thank you. You can head

to Avery, tapped her on the shoulder, and said, “Avery!

best friend Tammy Lynch to be at the campus

a cutie. It’s ‘Mr. Portia’ to you,” Avery said as they walked into campus together. “Tammy, I don’t think I can go to graduate school

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

and said, “Actually, I never really wanted to go to

boyfriend after graduation, right?” Tammy

Avery was taken aback.

only told her mother of what

that she was dating someone but

said, “Do you know what it feels like to have someone completely destroy your trust? I thought he was the best

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

depending on myself than a man,” Avery

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

hope I can take care of myself after

the class in both

cheeks flushed at the

five in the evening, Avery and Tammy left the campus together. They had planned to

at the campus gates, Tammy instantly pointed at the Portia

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

remembered