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.

……

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

the closet, wrapped

of the chill

morning, aside from feeling a little sticky, she was

took a shower, changed into clean clothes, and went

to the dining room, and Mrs. Cooper

he had

Master Elliot hasn’t come down

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

eating in under five

afraid of

to see him,” Avery said, then lifted her chin slightly and added,

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

do on campus today,

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

said, “It’s fine. I’ll just take

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

not

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

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

best

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

in her tracks and said, “Is it because of

smile and said, “Actually, I never really wanted

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

Avery was taken aback.

mother of

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

have someone completely destroy your trust? I thought he was the best man in the world, but

placed her arm around Avery’s waist when she saw her red eyes, and said, “Forget about that, Avery. We’re still young. Just think of it as a lesson

better off depending on myself than

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

said, “I just hope I can take

of the class in both majors. The sky’s the limit for someone like you!” Tammy

cheeks flushed at

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

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

Portia who dropped you off this

remembered the