The Borrowed Fiancée Protocol

To get out of working late, my so-called best friend—a proud, lifelong bachelor—decided to reinvent himself as a whipped, henpecked partner.

Suddenly, his Instagram stories were plastered with photos of my girlfriend, Alyssa.

"The ball and chain won’t let me stay. Heading home early tonight!"

"Can’t make drinks, guys. The missus has dinner on the table and a short temper."

His coworkers constantly envied his good fortune, joking about how he’d found a girl who cared enough to keep him on a tight leash. Every time I saw those posts, a sick, heavy knot tightened in my chest.