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.

……

head felt heavy by the time she

blanket from the closet, wrapped herself in it, and fell

sweated all night, ridding herself of the

feeling a little sticky, she

a shower, changed into clean clothes,

to the dining room, and Mrs. Cooper immediately served her

he had

hasn’t

a piece of toast, then began to wolf down

eating

of

said, then lifted

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

campus today, so I won’t be having dinner

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

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

One for Master Elliot and one for the odd jobs. I’ll get

could not win

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

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

in her best friend Tammy

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

said, “Is it because of your family? I heard about your

I never really

marrying your boyfriend after graduation, right?” Tammy said. “When are

Avery was taken aback.

told her mother of

friends and classmates only knew that she was dating someone

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

when she saw her red eyes, and said, “Forget about that, Avery. We’re still young. Just think of it as a lesson learned. You’ll

myself than a man,” Avery

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

said, “I just hope I can

course! You’re the only double major I know who’s at top of the class in both majors. The sky’s the limit for someone like you!” Tammy

cheeks flushed at

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

at the campus gates, Tammy instantly pointed at the Portia parked by

the Mr. Portia who dropped you off this morning?

remembered the