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.

……

it was because of the cold wind, but Avery’s head felt heavy by the time she got to

blanket from the closet, wrapped herself in

herself of the chill from the

from feeling a little sticky, she

took a shower, changed into

the smell of food to the dining room, and

he had breakfast?” Avery

Elliot hasn’t come

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

eating in

afraid of him, Madam?” Mrs. Cooper

not afraid… I just don’t want to see him,” Avery said, then lifted her chin slightly

a little more time together,” said Mrs. Cooper. “Will you

campus today,

there,” Mrs. Cooper said.

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

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

not

said, “Thank you. You can head back now. I’ll find

to Avery, tapped her on the shoulder, and said, “Avery!

to bump in her best friend Tammy Lynch

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

it because of

and said, “Actually, I never really wanted to

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

Avery was taken aback.

her mother of

was dating someone but had

broke up,” Avery said. She then took a deep breath and said, “Do you know what it feels like to have someone

Avery. We’re still young. Just think of it as a lesson learned. You’ll definitely meet

myself

love-struck before summer break,

“I just hope I can take care

of the class in both majors. The sky’s the limit for someone

cheeks flushed at the

in the evening, Avery and Tammy left the

campus gates, Tammy instantly pointed at the Portia parked by

who dropped you off this morning? Is he here to pick you

remembered the