Caught In His Web of Manipulation

My genius boyfriend, Colten, was my savior. I was the "slow" girl he single-handedly tutored into NYU. He built my entire academic future, and I thought our love story was a fairytale.

But after I found another woman's birth control pills in his bag and caught him in lie after lie with his lab partner, Addisyn, I finally left him. The price was brutal: I failed every class and faced expulsion.

Desperate to save myself, I went back. I played the part of his sweet, obedient girlfriend, using his tutoring to ace my retake exams while secretly planning my escape to a new program.

The day my transfer was approved, he ambushed me with a public proposal. In front of a cheering crowd, he got on one knee with a diamond ring, ready to trap me in his perfect life forever.

"Will you marry me?" he asked, his voice full of triumph.

But before I could answer, a different woman stepped forward. It was Addisyn, and her hand was resting on her pregnant belly.

Chapter 1

I found the birth control pills in Colten' s backpack. They were tucked deep in a side pocket, nestled amongst a tangle of charging cables and scientific papers. My fingers brushed against the small, flat packet, and a cold dread seeped into my stomach.

Colten had always been clear about one thing: he didn't like condoms, and he definitely didn't want any surprises. "We're too focused on our careers for anything like that, Ila," he'd said, his voice firm, like he was delivering a scientific fact. It was a rule, not a preference. He'd even gone so far as to say he was allergic to latex, a convenient excuse that had always made me feel a little guilty for even questioning his stance.

Now, this.

My mind raced, trying to make sense of it. Could they be for me? No, he' d always insisted I use a diaphragm, a method he'd meticulously researched and deemed "statistically superior." This packet was different, a brand I didn' t recognize.

He' s just being practical, Ila. Maybe he bought them for you as a backup? The Comments whispered in my head, a familiar chorus of reassurance. Or maybe he' s just being a good friend, looking out for someone who needs help. That' s just the kind of thoughtful guy he is.

I closed my hand around the packet, feeling the sharp edges of the foil. My heart hammered against my ribs. Should I put them back? Pretend I never saw them? What if he thought I was snooping? He hated it when I was "nosy."

A sudden click of the lock. The door swung open. Colten walked in, his brow furrowed, a stack of books under his arm. He stopped short when he saw me, my hand still in his backpack.

"Ila? What are you doing in my stuff?" His voice was low, but it held that edge, the one that meant I was already in trouble.

My hand froze. I slowly pulled out the packet. "I... I was just trying to organize your bag for you. You always leave it so messy." My voice was a weak whisper.

His eyes fell to the pills. A flicker of something-annoyance? surprise? I couldn't tell. Then, his expression softened into a familiar, weary sigh. "Oh, those. Right." He reached out, his long fingers gently taking the packet from my trembling hand. "They're for Addisyn."

My breath hitched. Addisyn. Of course.

"She's been having really bad menstrual cramps lately, debilitating ones," Colten explained, his voice laced with concern, almost sounding professional. "She mentioned it in the lab, and I did some research. These particular pills are known to alleviate symptoms for her specific condition. I told her I' d pick them up for her since she was swamped with the new project deadline." He looked at me, a hint of exasperation in his gaze. "It's a medical recommendation, Ila, nothing more. You know I'm always trying to help people."

He tucked the pills back into his backpack, a swift, deliberate movement that erased any trace of their existence. Another sigh escaped him, heavier this time. "Honestly, Ila, I sometimes wonder why you always jump to conclusions. Addisyn is my lab partner. My colleague. There's nothing romantic between us." He paused, his eyes narrowing slightly. "If you don't believe me, you can ask her yourself. Or ask anyone in the lab. We're practically married to our research, not each other."

I remembered the last time I' d tried to voice concerns about Addisyn, how Colten had called me "irrational" and "jealous," how I' d ended up apologizing for my "insecurity." He' s right, Ila. You' re always making things harder than they are. He' s brilliant, and busy, and you' re just a distraction. The Comments chimed in, their collective voice a balm and a brand at the same time.

"No, no, I believe you." I swallowed hard, the words tasting like ash. "I just... I worry about you, that's all." I forced a small, apologetic smile.

Colten raised an eyebrow, a fleeting look of surprise crossing his face. I usually put up more of a fight, or at least cried.

"I actually came to ask you if you needed help with your physics assignment," I quickly added, trying to divert his attention. "I was just about to head back to the dorm, but I thought I'd check if you were free."

I started to tidy a loose stack of papers on his desk, my hands shaking only slightly. The silence stretched between us.

Colten cleared his throat, as if he was about to say something.

"Well, if you're not busy, I should get going," I mumbled, already backing towards the door. My legs felt like lead, but I had to get out.

As I slipped out, I glanced back. Colten stood there, his back to me, staring at his backpack. He looked confused, like I'd just said something in a foreign language.