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.

……

head felt heavy by the time she got to

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

night, ridding herself of

the next morning, aside from feeling a little sticky, she

took a shower, changed into clean

the smell of food to the dining

had

Master Elliot hasn’t come

glass of milk and a

done eating in under

that afraid of him, Madam?” Mrs.

Avery said, then lifted

a little more time together,”

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

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

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

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

not win

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

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

not expect to bump in her best

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

because of your family? I heard about your dad. I’m

said, “Actually, I never really wanted

know, you’re thinking of marrying your boyfriend after graduation, right?” Tammy said. “When are you going to introduce

Avery was taken aback.

told her mother of what had

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

that, Avery. We’re still young.

better off depending on myself than a man,”

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

“I just hope

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

flushed at

Avery and Tammy left the campus together. They

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

Mr. Portia who dropped you off this morning? Is he

still remembered the