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

closet, wrapped

herself of the chill

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

a shower, changed into clean clothes, and went

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

had

hasn’t

milk and a piece of toast, then began to wolf down

done eating in under

that afraid of him,

him,” Avery said, then

together,” said

on campus today, so I won’t be having

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

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

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

not win

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

Avery, tapped her on the shoulder, and said, “Avery! Who was that Portia

not expect to bump in her best friend Tammy Lynch to

as they walked into campus together. “Tammy, I don’t think I can go to

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

I never really

know, you’re thinking of marrying your boyfriend after graduation, right?” Tammy said. “When are you

Avery was taken aback.

had only told her mother

that she was dating someone but had no idea

Avery said. 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 was

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

depending on myself

grow,” Tammy sighed. “You were completely love-struck before summer break, but look at

“I just hope I

at top of the class in both majors. The

cheeks flushed at the

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

at the campus gates, Tammy instantly

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

remembered