My husband proposed that my friend and I swap husbands for a week — I thought he was joking until I discovered she was actually willing to do it, so I agreed and decided to teach them both a lesson

In the picture, Sean and I stood beside Nancy and Alex at the beach. We were all smiling, our arms around one another, convinced we had people in our lives we could trust.

I wondered how much of that picture had been a lie.

“When do you want to start?” I asked.

“Friday evening. Nancy and Alex can come here, and we’ll work out the details.”

“Perfect.”

Sean kissed my forehead.

Then he went upstairs to call Alex.

I remained in the kitchen, listening to the muffled sound of my husband’s voice.

I couldn’t make out every word, but I heard him say one sentence clearly.

“She agreed. Everything is going according to plan.”

I stood completely still.

According to plan?

I waited until he finished his call, then went upstairs and pretended to be tired.

That night, while Sean slept, I sat in the dark with my phone in my hand.