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.

……

but Avery’s head felt heavy by the time she got to her

took out a thick blanket from the closet, wrapped herself

ridding herself of the chill from the night

next morning, aside from feeling a little sticky, she was in relatively good

into clean

of food to the dining room, and

he had breakfast?” Avery

hasn’t come down

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

done eating in under five

that afraid of him, Madam?” Mrs.

want to see him,” Avery said, then lifted

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

to do on campus today, so I won’t

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

said, “It’s fine. I’ll just take a cab. He can have

for the odd jobs.

could not win against

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

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

not expect to bump in her best friend Tammy Lynch to

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

because of your family?

managed a smile and said, “Actually, I

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

Avery was taken aback.

mother

was dating

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

her arm around Avery’s waist when she saw her red eyes, and said, “Forget about that, Avery. We’re still

off depending on myself than a

grow,” Tammy sighed. “You were completely love-struck before summer break, but look at the mature young

said, “I just hope I can take

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

flushed at

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

campus gates, Tammy instantly pointed at the Portia

you off this morning? Is he here

still remembered the