“The condition is simple,” I said, setting down my glass. “If the marriage is open, then it’s open for both of us. Equally. Same freedoms, same rules, starting tonight.” His smile flickered. He had clearly imagined a version of this where he explored and I stayed home, grateful and available. The idea that I might walk out any evening I chose, dressed exactly as I was right now, had never crossed his mind. “And there’s a second part,” I added. “We split everything down the middle first. The childcare. The cooking. The cleaning. The mental load.”

He laughed, uneasy now. “What does that have to do with dating other people?” I leaned forward. “Because you said I’m too tired to keep you happy. So before either of us goes anywhere, we fix why I’m tired. Fifty-fifty on the house and kids. If you want the freedom of a single man, you’ll carry the responsibilities of an equal partner.” His face had gone pale, and I realized he was only just beginning to understand what he had actually agreed to.