**Chapter 11: The Web of Deceit**

Days turned into weeks, and Charlie struggled to come to terms with what had happened between her and Travis. The incident had left her shaken, and she couldn't shake off the feeling that she was in grave danger. She tried to avoid him, but he seemed to be always lurking around, watching her every move. The bruises on her body had started to heal, but the emotional scars ran deep. As she navigated her daily routine, Charlie couldn't help but feel like she was walking on eggshells, never knowing when Travis would snap again. She started to notice the little things, like the way he would appear in the background of her favorite TV shows, or the way he would send her flowers with no note. It was as if he was trying to remind her that he was always there, watching her. One evening, as she was getting ready for bed, Charlie noticed a small package on her nightstand. It was a pregnancy test, and a note attached to it read: "You're mine, now and forever." Charlie's heart sank as she stared at the test, her mind racing with thoughts of what this could mean. Was she really pregnant? And if so, what did this mean for her future? She tried to push the thoughts aside, but they lingered, making her feel anxious and uneasy. She knew she had to take the test, but a part of her was scared of the results. What if she was pregnant? What would happen next? The questions swirled in her head, making her feel dizzy and disoriented. As she stood there, frozen in indecision, Charlie heard a knock on the door. It was Travis, and he looked concerned. "Hey, I saw the light on and thought I'd check in on you," he said, his eyes scanning the room. Charlie felt a surge of anger, but she tried to keep her cool. "I'm fine," she said, trying to sound calm. "Just getting ready for bed." Travis nodded, but he didn't leave. "I was thinking, maybe we should talk about what happened the other night," he said, his voice low and menacing. Charlie felt a shiver run down her spine as she realized that he was trying to manipulate her again. She knew she had to be careful, but she also knew she couldn't avoid him forever. "I don't think that's a good idea," she said, trying to sound firm. Travis's expression darkened, and for a moment, Charlie thought she saw a glimmer of the violence that had erupted the other night. But then, his face smoothed out, and he smiled. "Okay, no problem," he said. "But I want you to know that I'm here for you, Charlie. I care about you, and I want to help you through this." Charlie felt a wave of nausea wash over her as she realized that he was trying to gaslight her again. She knew she had to get away from him, but she didn't know how. As Travis turned to leave, Charlie noticed something that made her heart skip a beat. On the floor, near the door, was a small piece of paper with a phone number on it. It was Alex's number, and a message was scribbled below it: "Call me, I'm waiting." Charlie's eyes met Travis's, and for a moment, they just stared at each other. Then, Travis smiled and turned to leave. "I'll talk to you later, Charlie," he said, his voice dripping with menace. As the door closed behind him, Charlie felt a sense of relief wash over her. She knew she had to call Alex, and she knew she had to get out of this situation before it was too late. But as she picked up the phone and dialed Alex's number, she couldn't shake off the feeling that she was being watched, and that Travis was still lurking in the shadows, waiting for his chance to strike.