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 felt heavy by the time she got to her

took out a thick blanket from the closet, wrapped herself in

herself of the chill

morning, aside from feeling a little sticky, she was in

a shower, changed into clean clothes, and went

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

he had breakfast?” Avery

Master Elliot hasn’t come

a piece of toast, then began to wolf down her

was done eating

that afraid of him,

Avery said, then

a little more time together,” said

to do on campus today, so I won’t be

you there,” Mrs. Cooper said. She left, intending to inform

“It’s fine. I’ll just

for the odd jobs. I’ll get the other

could not win

campus, Avery turned to the driver and said, “Thank you. You can

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

not expect to bump in her best friend Tammy Lynch to be

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 graduate

it because of your family?

managed a smile and said, “Actually, I never really wanted

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

Avery was taken aback.

had only told her mother of what had happened

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

Avery. We’re still young. Just

myself than

were completely love-struck before summer break,

said, “I just hope I can take care of

I know who’s at top of the class in both majors. The sky’s the limit for someone like you!”

flushed at

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

at the campus gates, Tammy instantly pointed at

Isn’t that the Mr. Portia who dropped you off this morning? Is he

remembered