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

from the closet, wrapped herself in it, and

herself of the chill from the night

from feeling a

a shower, changed into clean clothes, and

followed the smell of food to the dining room, and Mrs. Cooper

he had breakfast?” Avery

Elliot hasn’t come down

and a piece of toast, then began to wolf down

done eating in

of him, Madam?” Mrs. Cooper

said, then lifted her chin slightly and added, “Seeing

after spending a little more time together,” said

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

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

said, “It’s fine. I’ll just take a cab. He

two drivers at home. One for Master Elliot and one for the odd jobs. I’ll get the other one to take you,” said

could not win against

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

to Avery, tapped her on the

did not expect to bump in her best friend Tammy Lynch to

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

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

“Actually, I never really wanted to go to

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

Avery was taken aback.

mother of what had happened with

that she was dating

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

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

better off depending on myself than a man,” Avery

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

just hope I can take

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

evening, Avery and Tammy left the

gates, Tammy instantly pointed at the Portia

Isn’t that the Mr. Portia who dropped you off

remembered