My Boyfriend Used Fake Numbers to Test My Loyalty—Here’s Why That’s Not Love

The Start of the Deception

It began with random messages from unknown numbers. Some were vague, like, "Hey, I miss you." Others were more direct: "Can we talk? I still think about you." The names weren’t saved, but the area codes were familiar. They seemed to be from exes or men I had once known.

At first, I was confused. Why were they reaching out now, all at the same time? I ignored the messages, but they kept coming. Each new text sent a wave of anxiety through me. Was someone trying to mess with my head? The messages puzzeled me. The words they wrote were not depictive our actions together.

Naturally, I turned to my boyfriend for comfort. Instead of support, he seemed distant—almost as if he was watching my every move, waiting for a reaction. When I expressed my stress over the messages, he just shrugged. “That’s weird,” he said, but something about his tone felt off.

The Moment of Realization

The texts escalated. Some started implying that I had cheated in the past. Others suggested that I still had feelings for these “mystery men.” My boyfriend, instead of helping me block the numbers or ease my stress, started questioning me.

“Are you sure you never gave them a reason to reach out?”“Why do they feel comfortable texting you now?”“If you have nothing to hide, why are you so upset?”

I was breaking under the weight of it all. The stress, the confusion, the subtle accusations—it was too much. Then, one night, I grabbed my boyfriend’s phone when he wasn’t looking. That’s when I found the truth.

I started to call these mystery numbers. No answer!! Not one! I had kept in contact with some of these men through social media. I asked if they have been texting me. Nope! Multiple fake numbers. From past boyfriends, friends we met while traveling together, restaurant workers and even work colleages.

He had been the one texting me all along.

Why This Is Emotional Manipulation, Not Love

Finding out the person you trust the most is actually the one deceiving you is a gut-wrenching feeling. My boyfriend wasn’t just lying—he was creating an elaborate test to see if I would “fail.”

This isn’t love. This is control.

A healthy relationship is built on trust, communication, and mutual respect—not paranoia, secret tests, and manipulation. Love doesn’t make you feel like you have to prove your faithfulness over and over.

If you’ve ever experienced manipulation, gaslighting, or emotional abuse like this, you’re not alone. No one deserves to be tested, deceived, or made to feel like they have to constantly prove their worth in a relationship. By sharing our stories, we can build a community of support, healing, and strength for those who have been through similar experiences. If you have a story to tell, I’d love to hear from you.

Send your story to connect@perfectlypretend.com, and let’s create a space where victims can find validation, connection, and the courage to move forward. You are not alone, and together, we can break the cycle.