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 she got to her

from the closet, wrapped herself in it, and

all night, ridding herself of the chill

from feeling a little sticky, she was in relatively

a shower, changed into clean clothes,

to the dining

had breakfast?” Avery

Master Elliot hasn’t

glass of milk and a piece of toast, then began

eating in under

you that afraid of him, Madam?” Mrs. Cooper

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

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

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

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

I’ll just take a cab.

home. One for Master Elliot and one for the odd jobs. I’ll get

could not

campus, Avery turned to the driver and said, “Thank you. You can head back

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

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

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

stopped in her tracks and said, “Is it because of

“Actually, I never really wanted

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

Avery was taken aback.

only told her mother of what had happened

knew that she was dating someone but had no idea who

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,

said, “Forget about that, Avery. We’re still young.

on myself than

“You were completely love-struck before summer break, but look

head and said, “I just hope I can take

only double major I know who’s at top of the class in both majors. The sky’s the limit for someone

cheeks flushed at

left the campus

campus gates, Tammy instantly pointed at the Portia

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

still remembered