She Fell for the College Janitor Everyone Looked Down On
Chapter 4
Rumors began before either of them admitted what was happening.
Eleanor and Samuel were seen talking beneath the oak tree.
Then walking across the courtyard.
Then sharing a book.
Within weeks, whispers spread through Hawthorne.
“She has lost her mind.”
“He’s beneath her.”
“Perhaps he is trying to trap her.”
“Perhaps her father will dismiss him.”
Caldwell enjoyed the rumors.
He had always assumed Eleanor would eventually marry him.
His father and hers had discussed the possibility more than once.
So when Eleanor refused to attend a dinner with Caldwell, he confronted Samuel.
“You think you’re going to become a gentleman because she speaks to you?”
Samuel continued sweeping.
“I don’t think anything.”
“You’re lying.”
“No.”
Caldwell grabbed the broom.
Samuel released it.
“You should leave her alone.”
Samuel looked at him.
“She decides who she spends time with.”
Caldwell stepped closer.
“You’re nothing.”
Samuel’s face remained calm.
“That may be true.”
Caldwell expected anger.
Instead he saw something else.
Pity.
It infuriated him.
“You think you’re better than me?”
“No.”
Samuel picked up another broom.
“I think you’re afraid.”
Caldwell shoved him into the wall.
A professor appeared at the end of the corridor.
“What’s happening?”
Caldwell immediately stepped back.
“Nothing.”
The professor looked at Samuel.
“Clean that plaster.”
Then he walked away.
Samuel stared after him.
Eleanor had witnessed everything from the stairwell.
She descended slowly.
“Why didn’t you tell him?”
“Tell him what?”
“That Caldwell attacked you.”
Samuel shrugged.
“Would he have believed me?”
Eleanor stopped.
She knew the answer.
“No.”
Samuel looked at her.
“You see?”
“What?”
“This is why I don’t fight.”
“Because no one would believe you?”
“Because fighting would only prove what they already think.”
Eleanor’s eyes filled with anger.
“That isn’t fair.”
“No.”
He gave her the faintest smile.
“But life rarely asks permission before becoming unfair.”
She reached for his hand.
Samuel froze.
Neither moved.
Then Eleanor whispered:
“I believe you.”
For the first time, Samuel looked completely defenseless.
