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.

……

the cold wind, but Avery’s head felt heavy by the time

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

ridding herself of the

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

a shower, changed into clean

to the dining room, and

had breakfast?” Avery

hasn’t come down

of milk and a piece of toast, then began

eating

that afraid of him, Madam?” Mrs.

Avery said,

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

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

Mrs. Cooper said. She left, intending to inform the driver of

immediately stopped her and said, “It’s fine. I’ll just take a cab. He can have the

for the odd jobs. I’ll get

could not win

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

driver drove off, a young woman ran up to Avery, tapped her on the shoulder, and said, “Avery! Who was

bump in her best friend Tammy Lynch to

‘Mr. Portia’ to you,” Avery said as they walked into

stopped in her tracks and said, “Is it because of your family? I heard about your

managed a smile and said, “Actually, I never

right?” Tammy said. “When are you going to

Avery was taken aback.

her mother of what had

classmates only knew that she was dating

breath and said, “Do you know what it feels like to have someone completely destroy your trust? I thought

about that, Avery. We’re still young. Just think of it as

better off depending on myself than a

“You were completely love-struck before summer break, but look

head and said, “I just hope I can take

who’s at top of the

cheeks flushed at

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

the campus gates, Tammy instantly pointed at the Portia

Mr. Portia who dropped you off this morning? Is

still remembered