My Boyfriend Is Your Death Sentence

This time, I kept it a secret. I walked side-by-side with the campus golden boy, hiding our romance from everyoneespecially her.

When she finally found out, she fell right back into her old patterns. It was predictable, really. But what she didnt know was that this man wasn't my boyfriend. He was a "gift" I had meticulously gift-wrapped just for her.

My roommate, Natalie, always prided herself on her "impeccable taste." She loved to claim we were kindred spirits, which was her way of saying she felt entitled to admireand eventually takeevery man I ever dated.

She played the role of the concerned friend to perfection. Shed tell me I was too naive, too sheltered, and that Id easily be "tricked by a mans sweet talk." Then, shed offer to "test" them for me, as if she were doing me a grand favor.

It was always the same script. Shed use my well-being as an excuse to slide into their DMs, to "accidentally" run into them, to charm them. And once she successfully lured them away, shed come back to me, radiating a sickening sense of triumph.

"See, Maria? I told you that you have terrible judgment," shed say, wearing that pitying smirk. "None of these guys are any good. If I hadn't tested him for you, youd be crying yourself to sleep right now."

Every time, Id be paralyzed by a cocktail of rage and humiliation, unable to find the words to tear down her "altruistic" facade.

Natalie was currently parading around the dorm, flaunting a photo of herself with my most recent ex, Jackson.

"He told you he couldn't live without you when he was pursuing you, right?" she laughed, tossing her hair back. "But look at him now. I barely had to lift a finger, and he was practically begging for my number."

She leaned in, her eyes glinting with a fake, sugary sweetness. "Honestly, Maria, you should thank me. I saved you from a real jerk."

I clenched my fists so hard my nails bit into my palms. A hot surge of anger bubbled in my chest. "Youre literally bragging about being the 'other woman.' Do you even have a shred of dignity left?"

Natalie blinked, her expression shifting instantly into one of wounded innocence. "Maria, I was just trying to protect you. How can you be so ungrateful?"

Our other roommate, Kayla, immediately jumped to her defense. "Maria, don't be so dramatic. You're really going to ruin a friendship over some guy? Its not that deep."

"Exactly," Madison added, nodding in agreement. "If it wasn't for Natalie, youd still be getting played. Shes like a human filter for trash. You should be paying her for the service."

I opened my mouth, but the words died in my throat. My last five boyfriends were indeed trash, but was Natalie any better?

Before each breakup, Id managed to get a glimpse of their phones. Natalies messages were a masterclass in manipulation. Shed sent them suggestive photossatin robes slipping off her shoulders, low-cut necklinesalways followed by a "Does this make me look too pale?" or "I feel so lonely tonight."

They were all disgusting. Every single one of them.

Natalie sauntered over, her voice dripping with satisfaction. "Maria, youre not actually mad, are you? I didn't think it would happen, really. We were just chatting, and then he just... fell for me. I can't help my charm, can I?"

Kayla chimed in, "Of course not. Some people just have 'it.' Unlike some girls who think a 4.0 GPA is a substitute for a personality."

She and Madison exchanged a knowing look and giggled. I ignored their little inside joke, turned my back, and stared at my phone.

The room went quiet for a few seconds. Suddenly, Kayla let out a sharp gasp.

"Oh my god, look! Who is that?" She was practically hanging out the window, her neck strained. "Is that Sebastian? Sebastian Black? What is the campus god doing outside our building?"

Madison and Natalie scrambled to the balcony.

"Holy crap, it is him! What's he doing here? Is he waiting for someone? Is he actually dating someone?"

"Seriously, who is the lucky girl? Hes the ultimate 'Untouchable.' Total ice king."

Kayla turned to Natalie, a thought occurring to her. "Natalie, didn't you try to get with him last semester? Is he off the market now?"

Natalies face darkened for a split second. She didn't answer. I knew why. She had spent six months throwing herself at Sebastian, and he hadn't even given her his Instagram handle.

I stood in front of the mirror, carefully applying a coat of cherry-red lipstick.

"Aren't you supposed to be mourning Jackson?" Natalie asked, blocking my path to the door. "Or are you heading out for a pity-date?"

I brushed her hand away. "We broke up three months ago, Natalie. If you want my leftovers, keep them. I'm done with the trash."

My phone rang right then. I answered it immediately. A deep, smooth voice drifted through the line.

"Hey, beautiful. I'm downstairs."

"I'll be right there," I said, my heart skipping a beatpartly from the plan, partly from the sheer performance of it all.

Just as I was about to hang up, Natalie snatched the phone from my hand.

"No wonder you don't care about Jackson anymore," she sneered. "You found a new toy." Then, she pressed the phone to her ear, her voice dropping into that nauseating, high-pitched "baby" register she used with men. "Hi! I'm Maria's roommate, Natalie. Are you Marias new boyfriend?"

I don't know what he said, but the smug smile on her face froze. Her eyes widened, and her jaw actually dropped.

I grabbed the phone back while she was in shock and ended the call.

Natalie stared at me, her eyes burning with a sudden, frantic jealousy. "Your boyfriend... is Sebastian Black?"

"Theres no way," Kayla scoffed, though her voice lacked conviction. "Sebastian has the highest standards on campus. Why would he pick her?"

"Exactly," Madison added. "The girls chasing him literally form a line around the block. Maria? Please."

Natalie didn't join in the mockery this time. She was quiet, her eyes scanning me from head to toe, re-evaluating everything. "Maria," she said, her voice regaining its composure. "You didn't just hire some guy to pretend to be Sebastian to mess with us, did you?"

I looked at herat that face that thought it had the world figured outand I felt a ripple of genuine amusement. "Think whatever helps you sleep at night, Natalie."

I didn't waste another second. I turned and walked out.

Downstairs, Sebastian was leaning against a sleek, crimson Lamborghini. When he saw me, he offered a small, devastatingly handsome smile and waved. The sunlight caught the sharp angles of his face. He truly was the Golden Boy. No wonder Natalie had been obsessed.

And that was exactly why Id chosen him.

"Did I keep you waiting?" I asked as I approached.

"Just got here. Get in."

Sebastian stepped around and opened the door for me with a level of chivalry that felt almost performative, yet perfect.

As I slid into the leather seat, I glanced up. There they werethree faces pressed against the balcony railing, their expressions a mixture of shock and pure, unadulterated envy.

I nearly laughed out loud.

Sebastian took me to an exclusive private athletic club. We were at the indoor tennis courts, and he was standing behind me, his arms wrapped around mine, adjusting my grip on the racket. It was intimate, calculated, and exactly what I needed.

My phone buzzed. Natalie.

"Maria, are you at the club?"

I felt a prickle of annoyance. She was like a shadow you couldn't shake. "What do you want, Natalie?"

"Don't be like that," she said, her voice dripping with fake concern. "I'm just worried about you. I don't want you getting caught up in something you can't handle. Sebastian is... complicated."

"Sebastian is fine. And stop calling me," I said coldly, hanging up.

Sebastian handed me a towel and gently wiped a bead of sweat from my forehead. "Everything okay? Your roommate again?"

I took the towel, meeting his gaze. "Yeah. Just someone whos a little too interested in my life now that Im dating someone like you."

He let out a low, melodic chuckle and ruffled my hair.

A second later, a tennis ball whizzed through the air, clipping Sebastian squarely in the back. He winced, his brow furrowing as he turned around.

Natalie was running toward us, looking breathless and distressed. "Oh my god, I am so sorry! I didn't see you there! I'm such a klutz!"

She bent over to pick up her racket, her button-down shirt purposefully unfastened just enough.

Sebastians eyes flicked over her with a look of utter indifference. He didn't even acknowledge her "accidental" display. "Its fine," he said shortly.

He put his arm around my waist, guiding me away. But Natalie wasn't giving up. She reached out and grabbed his sleeve.

"I feel terrible! Please, let me make it up to you. Can I get your number? I'd love to buy you a new shirt, or at least a drink to apologize."

I saw the flash of disgust in Sebastians eyes before he masked it.

"Not necessary," he said, his voice flat. "I don't give my number to strangers."

He turned back to me, his expression softening instantly into something that looked like pure devotion. "Sorry about the interruption, babe. Lets get out of here. Ill take you to Cartier; you deserve a new bracelet for having to deal with this."

I smiled, casting a triumphant look back at Natalie. She stood frozen on the court, her face turning a sickly shade of gray.

My previous boyfriends would always give her a polite rejection in front of me, but I could see the hunger in their eyes. Theyd always end up adding her on social media later that night. She thought every man was the samea lock she could eventually pick.

But this time, she had slammed into the brick wall that was Sebastian Black.

I was satisfied with Sebastian. So satisfied, in fact, that for a fleeting moment, I almost believed he was the exception to the rule.

But in this world, reality has a way of hitting you when you least expect it.

A week later, I went to find him during theater rehearsals for the campus play. Sebastian was the lead, obviously. When I walked into the auditorium, the stage was dim, but I saw them in the wings.

Sebastian and Natalie were sitting closetoo close. They were sharing a cup of boba tea. Sebastian took a sip, and then Natalie leaned in, her lips hovering over the exact spot on the straw his mouth had just left. She took a long, slow sip, and then Sebastian took the cup back and drank from it again without a second thought.

My world went static for a second.

Sebastian looked up and saw me. He didn't jump, but there was a flicker of something in his eyes. He followed my gaze to the straw.

"Natalies blood sugar dropped," he said, his voice steady. "She almost fainted on stage a few times. I just wanted to get through the scene so we wouldn't waste everyone's time."

He handed the rest of the drink to Natalie. "Finish it so we can get back to work."

Natalie took the cup, sipping slowly while her eyes locked onto mine. She gave me a slow, victorious smile. "Your boyfriend is such a boy scout, Maria. No matter how much I flirt, hes a total professional. You really picked a winner this time."

She walked away, her heels clicking rhythmically against the floor, her silhouette radiating the same arrogance shed always had.

I stood there, my heart hammering against my ribs. I knew that look in her eyes. It was the look of a predator who had finally tasted blood.

Sebastian saw my expression and pulled me into an embrace. "Babe, don't overthink it. The original lead actress got into a car accident, and Natalie stepped in last minute to save the production. I owe her a professional courtesy, thats all."

I nodded, resting my head on his shoulder, playing the part. "You know... Natalie has a habit of liking my boyfriends. Shes taken them all. Im just scared that you..."

He held me tighter. "Trust me. Youre the only one I care about."

The words had barely left his lips when his phone buzzed. I caught a glimpse of the screen. A message from Natalie.

He checked it quickly and pulled away. "I have to get back to it. I'll call you later, okay?"

I watched him walk away, and I felt my heart sinknot because I loved him, but because the game was moving faster than I anticipated. I thought Sebastian would be different, but it had only taken a week for her to get under his skin.

Over the next few days, Sebastian could tell I was distant. To "make it up to me," he invited me to a party on his familys yacht, promising to introduce me to his inner circle. I decided to give him one last chance to prove my suspicions wrong.

The yacht was massive, a floating monument to old money. The deck was lined with champagne towers and gourmet appetizers. Sebastian introduced me proudly: "Everyone, this is my girlfriend, Maria."

The guys were friendly enough, and for a while, the atmosphere was pleasant. But then, the conversation shifted to businessto the Black familys latest pharmaceutical venture.

"Hows the R&D on the new heart medication going?" one of his friends asked.

Sebastians expression darkened. "We hit a wall. Theres a technical hurdle we can't clear. If we could get a consultation with Dr. Howard Bennett, the top cardiac specialist, wed be set. Otherwise, millions in initial investment are going down the drain."

Before anyone could respond, a familiar voice cut through the air.

"Dr. Howard Bennett?"

Natalie stepped into the light, looking stunning in a silk slip dress. "I know him. My aunt is a senior medical liaison; shes had dinner with Dr. Bennett dozens of times. If you need an introduction, I can make it happen."

Sebastians eyes lit up with a spark of genuine interest. I stood beside him, my fingers tightening around my glass until I thought it might shatter.

In an instant, his focus had shifted entirely to Natalie.

While they were deep in conversation, I stepped into the shadows and pulled out my phone. I sent a text to a number with no name attached.

The fish is biting. Move to Phase Two.

Sebastian began seeing Natalie behind my back. Frequently.

And after every "meeting," Natalie would show up with something newa designer scarf, a piece of jewelry, a limited-edition handbag.

One afternoon, she was back in the dorm, preening with a brand-new bag. Kaylas eyes were the size of saucers. "Is that the new Birkin? There are only three of those in the city, Natalie! Who gave you that?"

Natalies smile was enigmatic. "Some people think theyve caught the Golden Boy, but they don't realize that even the best statues can be moved if you know which buttons to push."

She looked genuinely satiated. I knew that look. She had finally "gotten" him.

I suppressed the bile rising in my throat, put on my noise-canceling headphones, and turned the volume to the max.

Sebastian hadn't reached out to me in days, supposedly because he was "swamped" with the drug trials. But on my birthday, he suddenly asked to meet.

He greeted me with an exuberant hug, his voice buzzing with excitement. "Maria, I have the best news! We finally broke through the research barrier! Everything is back on track."

He apologized profusely for neglecting me, explaining how much pressure hed been under. If he succeeded with this drug, he would officially take over the family empire. The fact that he wanted to share this "first" with me almost touched me.

Then, he took me to a high-end jewelry boutique and pointed to a stunning, ten-carat diamond necklace sitting in a velvet case. "Do you like it?"

I was stunned. The piece was breathtakingalmost surreal. "Its beautiful. But Sebastian... its a fortune."

"Price doesn't matter," he whispered. "I want you to have the best."

My eyes welled up. For a moment, the clouds of the last few weeks seemed to vanish.

Sebastian took the exquisitely wrapped box and placed it in my hands. "Maria... do me a favor. Give this to Natalie for me."

I froze. "What?"

"Shes been working tirelessly behind the scenes. She really came through for the company. Since you're my girlfriend, its more appropriate if the gift comes from you. It keeps things professional."

I looked down at the box. My face was a mask of practiced neutrality. "Of course," I said quietly.

I messaged Natalie immediately. By "coincidence," she was at the same mall. Sebastian and I went to find her.

When we reached the designated spot, we found her in the middle of a heated argument with a man.

It was Jackson. My ex.

"Natalie, stop avoiding me," Jackson was saying, grabbing her arm. "I've already looked at the penthouse at the Riverside. Itll be in your name. Just stay with me, and Ill give you everything."

Natalie hissed, "Jackson, youre delusional. Let go!"

But Jackson was relentless, refusing to let her walk away. In the next heartbeat, a blur of motion streaked past me. Sebastian slammed a fist into Jacksons face.

"Who the hell do you think you are, touching her?" Sebastian roared.

Jackson stumbled back, spitting blood, staring at Sebastian with pure hatred. They lunged at each other, the fight turning brutal in seconds. It took four security guards to finally pull them apart.

I stood there, watching the chaos, and a bitter laugh bubbled up in my throat. My current boyfriend and my ex-boyfriend were brawling in publicboth of them fighting over the same woman.

The irony was staggering.

Natalie, eyes red and brimming with tears, threw herself into Sebastians arms. "Thank god you were here... I was so scared..."

Sebastian held her tight, his voice a low, soothing murmur. "Its okay. Ive got you."

He threw a warning glare at Jackson and then led Natalie away. Not once did he look back at me. Not once did he remember it was my birthday.

I turned to leave, but a hand clamped around my arm, pulling me into a nearby service corridor.

My back hit the cool tile wall. A familiar scentsandalwood and rainfilled my senses.

After a long, breathless kiss, the man finally spoke.

"Did you get what you needed, babe? How was my performance? Because every time that girl touched my arm, I felt like I needed to scrub my skin with bleach."