I never imagined the conversation I had with my boyfriend would take the turn it did. We were sitting on the couch, talking about our relationship like we often do. But this time, he brought up something that left me utterly speechless. He told me he wanted to open our relationship, something I never considered. I thought that would be the shock of the night, but then he said it—the part that stunned me the most. He wanted to add his best friend, someone he’s always described as a brother, to the mix.

I sat there in disbelief, trying to process what he was saying. How could he even think this was an option? His best friend, a person who had always been just that in my eyes—a friend, almost family—was now being suggested as a third in our relationship. My mind raced with confusion, hurt, and a sense of betrayal.

Why me? Why us? What was he thinking?

All I could do was sit there in silence, staring at the man I thought I knew so well, wondering how this could change everything.