“It did, when I found out shortly after we were married,” Christina replied, her eyes carefully devoid of emotion. “But I came to accept it. If he is gay, there is no point pressuring him to suppress his desires.”

“But Elvis and you are in a marriage!”

“Yes, a marriage that works,” Christina remarked. “We complement each other in our careers and social statuses, enhance one another’s network and enjoy strong finances. We can count on the other for emotional support and companionship. We just outsource the sex.”

Sharon wanted to feel outraged but Christina’s placidity had an oddly calming effect. She had to remind herself that the woman had conspired to deceive her.

“You introduced Yu Chin to me despite knowing that he is Elvis’ lover. How could you?”

“Are you the worst off for it?” Christina threw the question back at her. “Other than the fact that he is not keen on sex, does Yu Chin fail as a husband?”

Sharon was speechless. She had, in fact, asked herself the same question not too long ago. Yu Chin was, in all other ways, the perfect husband.

“But why did you do it?”

Christina paused when the waiter approached with the pot of Earl Grey she had ordered. After he left, she took a leisurely sip before replying.

“I will be honest. When Elvis and Yu Chin went on a holiday in Gao a few years back, they were spotted and a rumour started circulating online. We decided that the best way to kill the rumour was to get Yu Chin married off. That was the period when you came into the picture during the AWARE saga. You were the perfect candidate.”

“What do you mean by that?” Sharon interjected, offended.

“Don’t take this the wrong way, but marriage did not appear to be top on the list of your life goals. You were driven for professional and financial success, and not putting in any effort to secure a life partner. Had Yu Chin not come along, there is a chance that you would still be unattached. What’s more, it is unlikely that you will be enjoying the professional success you’re enjoying right now. Yu Chin is good for you—don’t you realise that?”

Sharon hated that she found it difficult to disagree with Christina.

“But what kind of a marriage do you call this?”

“I call it a marriage on your own terms. Sharon, you’re a smart woman. You can learn to bend the rules. Whatever it is that Yu Chin is unable to provide, you can source it outside the confines of a marriage. Why restrain yourself?”

Sharon sank back into the sofa and ruminated. Was she being naïve in subscribing to the common expectations of a marriage? Why was it important that her marriage be like everyone else’s? Why should she be afraid to be different?