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

blanket from the closet, wrapped herself in it, and fell

night, ridding herself of the chill

feeling a little sticky,

changed into clean clothes,

dining room,

had breakfast?” Avery

Elliot hasn’t

milk and a piece of

done eating in

of him,

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

spending a little more time together,” said Mrs. Cooper. “Will you be coming home

today, so I won’t be

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

said, “It’s fine. I’ll

for Master Elliot and one for the odd jobs.

not win against

had arrived on campus, Avery turned to the driver and said, “Thank

driver drove off, a young woman ran up to Avery, tapped her on

to bump in her best friend Tammy

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 heard

said, “Actually, I never really wanted to

right?” Tammy said. “When are you

Avery was taken aback.

her mother of what

she was dating

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 he was the best man in the world, but he was nothing but human

waist when she saw her red eyes, and said, “Forget about that, Avery.

on myself

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

head and said, “I just hope I

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

flushed at

the evening, Avery and Tammy left the campus together. They had planned

at the campus gates, Tammy instantly

you off this

still remembered the