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.

……

Avery’s head

took out a thick blanket from the closet, wrapped herself in it, and fell into a

of the chill from

up the next morning, aside from feeling a

shower, changed into clean clothes, and

to the dining

he had breakfast?”

Elliot hasn’t come

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

done eating in

you that afraid of him,

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

fine after spending a little more time together,” said

I have something to do on campus today, so I won’t

I’ll go get the driver to take you there,” Mrs. Cooper said. She left, intending to

“It’s fine. I’ll just take

the odd jobs.

not

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

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

did not expect to bump in her best

‘Mr. Portia’ to you,” Avery said as they walked into

in her tracks and said, “Is it because of your family? I heard

smile and said, “Actually, I never really

marrying your boyfriend after graduation, right?” Tammy said.

Avery was taken aback.

only told her mother of

classmates only knew that she was dating

it feels like to have someone completely destroy your

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

depending on myself

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

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

the only double major I know who’s at top of the class in both

cheeks flushed

the evening, Avery and Tammy left the campus

campus gates, Tammy instantly pointed at the Portia

dropped you off this morning? Is he here

remembered the