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.

……

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

the closet, wrapped herself in it, and fell

all night, ridding herself of the chill from the

next morning, aside from feeling a little sticky, she

took a shower, changed into clean

to the dining room,

he had breakfast?”

hasn’t come

a piece of toast,

eating

you that afraid of him, Madam?” Mrs. Cooper

afraid… I just don’t want to see him,” Avery said, then lifted her chin slightly and added, “Seeing him makes

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

do on campus today, so I won’t be

Mrs. Cooper said. She left,

her and said, “It’s fine. I’ll

for the odd jobs. I’ll get

could not win against

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

expect to bump in her best friend Tammy Lynch

It’s ‘Mr. Portia’ to you,” Avery said as they walked into campus together. “Tammy, I don’t think I can go to graduate school

her tracks and said, “Is it because of

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

you’re thinking of marrying your boyfriend after graduation, right?” Tammy said. “When are you going

Avery was taken aback.

told her mother

classmates only knew that she was dating someone but had no

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

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

off depending on myself

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

her head and said, “I just hope I can take care

double major I know who’s at top of the class in both

flushed

evening, Avery and Tammy left the campus together. They

Tammy instantly pointed at the Portia parked

off this

remembered