diff --git a/firestore.rules b/firestore.rules
index e18c81f7..779c348d 100644
--- a/firestore.rules
+++ b/firestore.rules
@@ -117,6 +117,25 @@ service cloud.firestore {
              .hasOnly(['isRevealed', 'answerKeyReleased', 'updatedAt']);
     }
 
+    // Couple-key daily answer (schemaVersion 2): the answer doc is metadata only (no content).
+    // The encrypted content lives in the read-gated `secure` subdoc, so this doc can stay
+    // readable (drives the partner's "your turn" indicator) without leaking the answer.
+    function isCoupleKeyAnswerCreate(data) {
+      return data.keys().hasOnly([
+           'userId', 'questionId', 'answerType',
+           'schemaVersion', 'answerDate', 'createdAt', 'updatedAt', 'isRevealed'
+         ])
+        && data.schemaVersion == 2
+        && data.isRevealed == false;
+    }
+
+    // After a couple-key answer is created, only the reveal flag may flip (drives the opened push).
+    function isCoupleKeyAnswerUpdate() {
+      return resource.data.schemaVersion == 2
+        && request.resource.data.diff(resource.data).affectedKeys()
+             .hasOnly(['isRevealed', 'updatedAt']);
+    }
+
     // Thread sealed answers differ from daily answers: no answerDate (threads use threadId
     // as context), no isRevealed field (reveal state is tracked by the thread VM).
     function isSealedThreadAnswerCreate(data) {
@@ -670,6 +689,9 @@ service cloud.firestore {
 
       // Daily question answers: each user writes their own; both members read.
       match /daily_question/{date}/answers/{userId} {
+        // The answer doc holds only metadata (no content) so the partner can see THAT you
+        // answered ("your turn / waiting for you"); the encrypted content lives in the
+        // read-gated `secure` subdoc below. Both members may read metadata.
         allow read: if isCouplesMember(coupleId);
 
         allow create: if isCouplesMember(coupleId)
@@ -681,16 +703,17 @@ service cloud.firestore {
           // whose metadata disagrees with the path it lands in.
           && request.resource.data.answerDate is string
           && request.resource.data.answerDate == date
-          // schemaVersion 3: partner-proof sealed answer (the only accepted shape).
-          && isSealedAnswerCreate(request.resource.data);
+          // schemaVersion 2 = couple-key (current); 3 = legacy sealed partner-proof.
+          && (isCoupleKeyAnswerCreate(request.resource.data)
+              || isSealedAnswerCreate(request.resource.data));
 
         allow update: if isCouplesMember(coupleId)
           && request.auth.uid == userId
           && request.resource.data.userId == resource.data.userId
           && request.resource.data.questionId == resource.data.questionId
           && request.resource.data.answerType == resource.data.answerType
-          // Sealed answers: only reveal metadata may change; payload is immutable.
-          && isSealedAnswerUpdate();
+          // Only reveal metadata may change; the encrypted payload is immutable.
+          && (isCoupleKeyAnswerUpdate() || isSealedAnswerUpdate());
 
         allow delete: if false;
 
@@ -718,6 +741,20 @@ service cloud.firestore {
           allow update: if false;
           allow delete: if false;
         }
+
+        // Couple-key encrypted answer content (schemaVersion 2). Read-gated: you can read your
+        // PARTNER's content only once YOU have also answered — the cryptographic "private until
+        // both answered" gate. Your own content is always readable.
+        match /secure/{doc} {
+          allow read: if isCouplesMember(coupleId)
+            && (request.auth.uid == userId
+                || exists(/databases/$(database)/documents/couples/$(coupleId)/daily_question/$(date)/answers/$(request.auth.uid)));
+          allow create: if isCouplesMember(coupleId)
+            && request.auth.uid == userId
+            && isCiphertext(request.resource.data.encryptedPayload)
+            && request.resource.data.keys().hasOnly(['encryptedPayload']);
+          allow update, delete: if false;
+        }
       }
 
       // Games use enc:v1: (schemaVersion 2 / shared couple key).