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.

……

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

from the closet, wrapped herself in

of the chill from

Avery woke up the next morning, aside from feeling a little sticky, she was in relatively

into

food to the dining room,

he had breakfast?” Avery

hasn’t come down

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

done eating in

of him, Madam?” Mrs.

see him,” Avery said, then

fine after spending a little more time together,”

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

get the driver to take you there,” Mrs. Cooper said.

immediately stopped her and said, “It’s fine. I’ll

two drivers at home. One for Master Elliot and one for the

not

Avery turned to the driver and said, “Thank

drove off, a young woman ran up to Avery, tapped her on the

expect to bump in her best friend Tammy Lynch to

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

her tracks and said, “Is it because of your family? I heard about your dad.

managed a smile and said, “Actually, I never really wanted to go

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

Avery was taken aback.

her mother of

and classmates only knew that she was dating someone

a deep breath and said, “Do you know what it feels like to have someone completely destroy your trust? I thought

red eyes, and said, “Forget about that, Avery. We’re still young. Just think of

off depending on myself than a

were completely love-struck before summer break, but look at

hope I can take care of myself

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

flushed at the

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

gates, Tammy instantly

you off this morning? Is he

still remembered the