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.

……

cold wind, but Avery’s head felt heavy by the

closet, wrapped herself

sweated all night, ridding herself of the chill

aside from feeling

into clean clothes, and went

to the dining room, and Mrs.

he had breakfast?” Avery

Master Elliot hasn’t come down

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

eating in under

you that afraid of him, Madam?”

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

be fine after spending a little more time together,” said

campus today, so I won’t be having

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

and said, “It’s fine. I’ll just take a cab. He can have the

for the odd jobs. I’ll get the other one to take you,” said Mrs.

could not win

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

woman ran up to Avery, tapped her on

to bump in her best friend Tammy

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 to

it because of your family? I heard

and said, “Actually, I never really wanted to

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

Avery was taken aback.

told her mother of what had happened

that she was dating someone but

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 the best man in the world, but

arm around Avery’s waist when she saw her red eyes, and said, “Forget about that, Avery. We’re

depending on myself

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

shook her head and said, “I just hope

only double major I know who’s at top of the class in both majors. The sky’s the limit

flushed

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

the campus gates, Tammy instantly pointed at the

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

remembered the