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.

……

wind, but Avery’s head felt heavy by the time she got

wrapped herself in it, and fell into a

sweated all night, ridding herself of the chill

from feeling a little sticky, she was in relatively good

took a shower, changed into clean clothes, and

food to the dining room,

he had breakfast?” Avery

Master Elliot hasn’t come down

up her glass of milk and a piece of

was done eating in

afraid of him, Madam?” Mrs.

want to see him,” Avery said, then lifted her chin slightly and added, “Seeing him makes

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

have something to do on campus today, so I

I’ll go get the driver to 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

Elliot and one for the

not

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

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

in her best friend Tammy

cutie. It’s ‘Mr. Portia’ to you,” Avery said as they walked into campus together.

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

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

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

Avery was taken aback.

had only told her mother of what had happened with

knew that she was dating

said. She then took a deep breath and said, “Do you know what it feels like to have someone completely destroy your trust? I thought he was the best man in the world, but he was

“Forget about that, Avery. We’re

myself than a man,” Avery

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

just hope I can take care of myself after

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

Avery and Tammy left the campus together.

gates, Tammy instantly pointed at the Portia

Mr. Portia who dropped you off this morning? Is he here to pick

remembered