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 closet, wrapped herself

of

next morning, aside from feeling a little sticky, she was in relatively

took a shower, changed into clean clothes, and

followed the smell of food to the dining room,

had

Master Elliot hasn’t

milk and a piece of

was done eating

afraid of him, Madam?” Mrs.

see him,” Avery said, then lifted her chin slightly

spending a little more time together,”

something to do on campus today, so I

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

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

have two drivers at home. One for Master Elliot and one for the odd jobs. I’ll get the other one to take you,” said Mrs.

not

on campus, Avery turned to the driver and said, “Thank you. You can head back now.

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

did not expect to bump in her best friend Tammy Lynch to be at the

into campus together. “Tammy, I don’t think I can go to graduate school

because of your family? I

a smile and said, “Actually, I never really

your boyfriend after graduation, right?” Tammy said. “When

Avery was taken aback.

her mother of what

and classmates only knew that she was dating someone but had no idea

She then took a deep breath and said, “Do you know what it feels like to have someone completely

about that, Avery. We’re still young. Just think of it

off depending on myself

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

and said, “I just hope

who’s at top of the class

flushed

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

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

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

remembered