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.

……

it was because of the cold wind, but Avery’s head felt

wrapped herself in it, and fell

night, ridding herself of the chill

from feeling a little sticky, she was in

changed into

the smell of food to the dining room, and

had

hasn’t

this, Avery picked up her glass of milk and a piece of toast, then began to wolf down her

eating in under five

afraid of him, Madam?”

just don’t want to see him,” Avery said, then lifted her chin slightly

more time together,”

something to do on campus today, so I won’t be having dinner at

driver to take you there,” Mrs. Cooper said.

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

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

not win

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

the driver drove off, a young woman ran up to Avery, tapped her on the shoulder, and said,

in her best friend Tammy Lynch

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

it because of your family? I heard about your

said, “Actually, I never really wanted

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

Avery was taken aback.

had only told her mother of what

and classmates only knew that she was dating someone but had no idea who

broke up,” Avery 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

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

off depending on myself

“You were completely love-struck before summer break, but look at the mature young lady you’ve turned

her head and said, “I just hope I can

of the class in both majors. The sky’s the limit for someone

flushed at the

and Tammy left the campus together. They had planned

instantly pointed at the Portia parked by

off this

remembered