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 heavy

closet, wrapped herself in it, and fell into

night, ridding herself of

up the next morning, aside from feeling a

changed into

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

he had breakfast?” Avery

Master Elliot hasn’t come

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

was done eating in

that afraid of him, Madam?” Mrs.

to see him,” Avery said, then lifted

together,” said Mrs. Cooper. “Will you be coming home

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

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

I’ll just

Elliot and one for the odd jobs. I’ll get the

not

had arrived on campus, Avery turned to the driver and said, “Thank you. You can head back now.

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

her best friend Tammy Lynch to be at the

said as they walked into campus together. “Tammy, I don’t

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

said, “Actually, I never really wanted to go to graduate

your boyfriend after graduation, right?” Tammy said. “When are you going to

Avery was taken aback.

mother of what

and classmates only knew that she was dating someone but had no

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 the best man in the world,

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

better off depending on myself than

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

just hope I can take care of myself after

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

cheeks flushed at

in the evening, Avery and Tammy left the campus

campus gates, Tammy instantly pointed at the Portia parked by the

that the Mr. Portia who dropped you off this morning? Is

remembered the