Chapter 6

Eleanor let out a bitter laugh. She asked, "Shawn, did you think I was that kind of girl just because of how I acted around you?"

"I only did those things because I was afraid you'd tell my mom," she continued, her voice breaking, "I never wanted to be on that website. The first and second time I tried, you showed up and outbid everyone—it was like you were doing it on purpose!"

I was caught off guard by her words. "Eleanor, I was wrong. You can hit me, yell at me, whatever you need to do," I offered sincerely.

I stood there, fully prepared to take whatever she had to throw at me.

Eleanor bit her lip and raised her hand, but the slap never came. Instead, tears rolled down her cheeks as she collapsed into my arms. "Why did you have to hurt me like this?"

I held her awkwardly, murmuring apologies as she sobbed, "I'm sorry, Eleanor. It's all my fault. I'm really sorry."

Eventually, when she calmed down, I sat her on the bed, gently wiping away her tears.

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