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

from the closet, wrapped herself in it, and

night, ridding herself of the chill from the

aside from feeling a little sticky, she was in

changed into clean

dining room, and Mrs. Cooper immediately served

had

hasn’t come

milk and a piece of toast, then

eating in under five

that afraid of him, Madam?” Mrs. Cooper

Avery said, then lifted her chin slightly and added,

fine after spending a little more time together,” said

today, so I won’t be having dinner

Mrs. Cooper said.

“It’s fine. I’ll just take a cab. He

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

could not win against

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

tapped her on the

in her best friend Tammy Lynch to

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

and said, “Is it because of your family?

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

graduation, right?” Tammy said. “When are

Avery was taken aback.

mother of what had happened with

that she was dating someone but

you know what it feels like to have someone completely destroy your trust? I thought he was the

eyes, and said, “Forget about that, Avery. We’re still young. Just think of

off depending on myself than a man,”

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

“I just hope

double major I know who’s at top of the class in both majors. The sky’s

flushed at

the

gates, Tammy instantly pointed at the Portia parked

the Mr. Portia who dropped you off this morning?

remembered