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.

……

because of the cold wind, but Avery’s head felt

closet, wrapped herself

of the chill

aside from feeling a little

shower, changed into clean clothes,

followed the smell of food to the dining room, and Mrs. Cooper

had

Master Elliot hasn’t come down

her glass of milk and a piece

was done eating in under five

you that afraid of

said, then lifted her

together,” said Mrs. Cooper. “Will you

campus today,

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

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

Master Elliot and one for the odd jobs. I’ll get the other one to take you,”

not win

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

to Avery, tapped her on

expect to bump in her best friend Tammy Lynch to be at the

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

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

a smile and said, “Actually, I never really wanted

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

Avery was taken aback.

only told her mother of what

and classmates only knew that she was dating someone

broke up,” 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

when she saw her red eyes, and said, “Forget about that, Avery. We’re still young. Just think of it as

on myself

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

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

the class in both majors.

cheeks flushed

and Tammy left the campus together. They had

instantly pointed at the Portia

you off

still remembered the