I don't want a divorce. - Cecilia

Cecilia was a mild-tempered working professional in her fifties. She had been married to her husband for thirty years and they had adult children.

Cecilia described her husband as thoughtful and romantic. He provided for the family dutifully and remembered to celebrate special occasions together. Their marriage seemed stable, comfortable.

One day, her husband shared his interest in swinging with other couples.

Cecilia felt her stomach drop. This was completely outside her world.

He gave her information on swinging. Articles. Forums. He arranged for her to meet people from the swinging community.

She went. The people she met were working professionals who behaved like normal people and had normal conversations. Lawyers. Teachers. Business owners. They weren't what she had imagined.

Still, Cecilia was reluctant.

But she didn't want to disappoint her husband. He seemed so enthusiastic. So certain this would be good for them.

She reasoned with herself: Times have progressed. She shouldn't be so conservative. As there was no money involved, this wasn't like prostitution. Rather, it was a way to rejuvenate their intimate life. That's what he said, anyway.

Cecilia agreed to try.

Her husband, a photography enthusiast, took shots of her where she was covered minimally. He posted these "artistic" shots on their social media accounts.

The photographs attracted other couples who were interested in swinging. He curated which couples they would swing with, managing the accounts, the conversations, the arrangements.

When Cecilia confided in a friend about the situation, she said quietly, "I don't have a habit of saying 'no' to him."

Her friend asked gently, "Do you want to do this?"

Cecilia looked away. "I don't want a divorce."