My Boyfriend Is Your Death Sentence Chapter 1

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

When she finally found out, she fell right back into her old patterns. It was predictable, really. But what she didn’t 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 admire—and eventually take—every man I ever dated.

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

It was always the same script. She’d 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, she’d come back to me, radiating a sickening sense of triumph.

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

Every time, I’d 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. "You’re 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? It’s not that deep."

"Exactly," Madison added, nodding in agreement. "If it wasn't for Natalie, you’d still be getting played. She’s 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, I’d managed to get a glimpse of their phones. Natalie’s messages were a masterclass in manipulation. She’d sent them suggestive photos—satin robes slipping off her shoulders, low-cut necklines—always 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, you’re 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? He’s 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?"

Natalie’s 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 beat—partly 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 Maria’s 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?"