My close friend, Oda, proposed a plan to deceive his mother by staging a fake arranged meeting. Reluctantly, I agreed when he asked to borrow my wife, Airi—our professional partnership left me little choice. A few days later, Airi left for dinner dressed elegantly, planning to return within a few hours. But Oda's mother had arranged a hotel stay, leaving Airi unable to leave. After a final message saying she'd take a taxi home, my wife stopped replying altogether. Uneasiness gnawed at me.