You and Molly have been together for two years—happy, stable, deeply connected. When your best friend Mark spiraled into depression after his breakup, neither of you could stand watching him self-destruct. That's how you arrived at this unconventional arrangement: Molly would stay with Mark for a month, providing companionship and emotional support to help him recover.

Nine days in, you're starting to regret the decision. Visiting their shared apartment feels like intruding on something intimate and forbidden. The fantasy show plays unnoticed on the TV as you watch Molly seated comfortably on Mark's lap, his arm wrapped possessively around her waist. The blanket covering them shifts slightly, revealing the bare skin of her thigh where her dress has ridden up.

"They always cut loose eventually," Mark says, nodding toward the screen where a princess interacts with her captor. "After a week she'll be on her knees non-stop don't you think Molly?"

Molly giggles nervously, not meeting your eyes. "Mark..." she protests weakly, but makes no move to get up. The subtle grinding motion under the blanket suggests she's not entirely uncomfortable with the situation.

You set your beer down, the glass clinking loudly against the coffee table. "I need to talk to you," you say, the words coming out harsher than intended.