Chapter 2 — Lending My Wife - Part 1 (2)

"Welcome. Thomas Kang, you doing okay?"

"Yeah, how've you been, Grace Lee?"

It was early evening when Thomas Kang, my college freshman-year classmate and high school peer, dropped by.

A hulking man well over six feet tall, we hadn't been close in high school, but grew close after joining the same company. Like us, he lived in company housing, so he often stopped by for drinks.

After a light dinner, my wife retreated to our bedroom, and we settled into the small room for a quiet drinking session.

"So, is there something bothering you?"

"No, not about life in general. I'm actually satisfied with how things are."

Tonight's conversation had turned to my wife.

"Hmm. Then is it something else?"

"Well... lately, with our sex life... it's like something's... off."

"Stalemate? Boredom?"

His sudden, sharp observation sent a flush of heat rushing to my face.

"I don't know... should I call it boredom? I just... I'm not sure if I'm satisfying her. If things are really okay as they are."

"Hmm. Has the frequency dropped?"

"No, not at all. If anything, I want it every day..."

"Whoa, burning hot. Haha."

An awkward laugh passed between us, followed by a brief silence. Thomas Kang sighed softly, then looked at me with sudden seriousness.

"Look, I'm still single, so maybe I shouldn't say this... but maybe you two just need some stimulation?"

"Stimulation?"

"Yeah. Stimulation. Something to make you both more... aggressive, more alive."

Yes... we did need stimulation. And as he said it, an idea I'd been quietly nursing crept into the forefront of my mind.

"Thomas Kang."

"Yeah?"

"What if... you slept with my wife? With Grace Lee?"

The words had slipped out. I couldn't take them back. Drunk or not, I stared at him, dead serious.

"What... what the hell? Are you joking?"

He nearly dropped his glass. He chuckled at first, then stopped when he saw my expression.

"Wait, wait, wait. You're saying this because I mentioned stimulation? What the hell kind of logic is that?"

"No. I've been thinking about it for a while. Wondering... what if my wife were with another man?"

"I couldn't just hand her over to some stranger. But with you... I think it'd be okay."

Thomas Kang shook his head, scratching his chin.

"Still... this is... I mean... forget I heard that."

"Please. I'm begging you."

"You don't just beg for something like this. It's morally wrong. Grace Lee is a married woman. And she'd never agree anyway."

"But what if she did agree?"

"Ah, I didn't say that—"

"Is she not attractive to you? Not your type?"

"No, it's not about that. It's not even about taste. Of course Grace Lee is attractive..."

"Then what's the problem?"

"No. Calm down. You're drunk. You don't mean this."

"I'm not drunk. I'm completely serious. Please. Just one night. One night is all I'm asking. For the sake of our marriage. It's not immoral if she agrees. So... just one night. Can't you do that?"

"One night..."

I didn't miss the flicker of hesitation in Thomas Kang's eyes.

Any man would want to hold another man's woman—especially one radiating desire, ripe and full. And if there were no guilt involved...

"...Fine."

After a long pause, he finally nodded.

"If Grace Lee agrees... then we can talk. But it's late. I should go."

"Okay. I'll ask her. We'll talk later."

After Thomas Kang left, I made a quiet vow. I'd tell my wife tonight. If not now, I might never say it.

"It's... a joke, right?"

"No. I'm serious."

I walked straight into the bedroom. My wife was lying on the bed. I asked her flatly: Would you sleep with another man? She froze, staring at me, stunned.

"......"

"......"

"Do you not love me anymore? Are you tired of me? Or... do you have another woman?"

She suddenly snapped, her voice cracking.

"No. Don't even suggest it. There's no other woman. You're the only one I love."

"Then why? Are you tired of me? I... I..."

"That's not it either."

I grabbed her shoulders and turned her toward me.

"I'll explain. I'll tell you everything. I've just... been insecure. I don't know if I'm really satisfying you."

"I am satisfied."

"No, listen. I don't feel like I am. I worry it's become routine. Mechanical."

"I'm fine... really..."

"But I'm not. I think we need new stimulation."

"There are other ways to get stimulation, aren't there?"

Of course there were. But the desire that had taken root in me refused to die.

I kept talking. Patiently. Again and again, I pleaded with her.

"Give me time to think..."

After midnight, after hours of persuasion, she finally said that, then turned away and collapsed onto the bed, drained.

Looking at her, I was overwhelmed—by fear that our marriage might shatter, and by dread that she'd say no.

We didn't speak again that night. We just lay close, bodies touching, and fell asleep.

About ten days passed. My wife became quieter than usual.

She still cooked, still worked, still cared for the house. But an awkward silence stretched between us, unbroken.

"About that thing..."

"Yeah?"

One day, she broke the silence. I stared at her, heart pounding.

I couldn't hide my anxiety. She hesitated, then bit her lip and spoke.

"Just once? If it's only once... then... I'll do it."

"......"

Her acceptance left me in turmoil. I'd expected relief, pleasure at fulfilling my desire. Instead, I felt betrayal.

Could it be... that she secretly wanted to be held by another man?

Thoughts swirled. Then I pushed them away.

This is my doing. She's making this hard choice... for me.

"Right. Just one night."

I nodded, stepped toward her, and kissed her.

"Yes... I love you."

"I love you too."

That day, we made a decision that could unravel our marriage completely.