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 time she

from the closet, wrapped herself in it,

herself of the chill from the night

morning, aside from feeling a

shower, changed into clean clothes,

the dining room, and Mrs.

he had

Master Elliot hasn’t come down

up her glass of milk and a piece of toast, then began to wolf

was done eating in under

of

see him,” Avery said, then lifted her chin slightly

more time together,” said Mrs. Cooper. “Will you be

campus today, so I

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

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

one for the odd jobs.

not win

the driver and said, “Thank you. You

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 be at

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

because of your family? I heard about your dad. I’m

I never

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

Avery was taken aback.

only told her mother of

that she was dating someone but had no

feels like to have someone completely destroy your trust? I thought he was the best man in the world, but he

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

off depending on myself than a man,” Avery

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

said, “I just hope I can take care of myself after

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 the

the campus together. They had planned to have dinner

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

you off this morning? Is he

still remembered