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.

……

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

the closet, wrapped herself in it, and fell

all night, ridding herself of the chill from

from feeling a little sticky, she

into clean clothes,

of food to the dining room,

had breakfast?” Avery

hasn’t

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

was done eating

that afraid of him, Madam?” Mrs.

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

little more time together,”

campus today, so I won’t be

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

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

the odd

could not

the driver and said, “Thank you. You can head back

off, a young woman ran up to Avery, tapped her on

her best friend

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

and said, “Is it because of your family? I heard about your dad. I’m

“Actually, I never really wanted to go

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

Avery was taken aback.

only told her mother of what had

that she was dating someone but had no idea who

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

red eyes, and said, “Forget about that, Avery. We’re still

better off depending on myself

love-struck

said, “I just hope I can

top of the

flushed at the

Avery and Tammy left the campus together. They had

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

that the Mr. Portia who dropped you off this morning?

remembered