**Natalie’s POV**
"Fake boyfriend?"
Gavin’s low, deadly question vibrated through the silent darkness of the room, slicing through my veins like ice. His pitch-black eyes locked onto mine, unblinking, utterly devoid of the warmth and tender adoration that had consumed us only hours before.
My heart hammered wildly, slamming against my ribs like a trapped bird. The phone felt like burning embers in my numb hand, and the blood roaring in my ears drowned out the muffled rain lashing against the windowpanes.
"Fake boyfriend? Yes..." I stammered, my voice cracking under the crushing weight of pure terror.
I forced a tiny, trembling smile onto my lips, praying that the dim light of the bedroom would hide the frantic twitch of my jaw.
"Babe, please... it's so late already," I pleaded, tryin
