‘I don’t know,’ Sara muttered into her palms, unable to look at her sister. That was the worst thing about the whole episode. Was I raped?

‘You don’t remember?’ Hailey sounded incredulous, and Sara would have to admit it sounded improbable. But it was true. She lowered her hands and looked at her sister as tears trickled down her face.

‘As far as I’m aware, I haven’t had sex with anyone except Matt.’ She caught Hailey’s expression, saw the way her eyes had narrowed, assessing. ‘You’ve got to believe me,’ she insisted, hands pressed together.

‘And you don’t know where Matt got the video from?’

Sara shook her head, swiping the tears from her cheeks.

Hailey glanced at the phone, still face down on the table. ‘Well, you can’t blame him for the way he reacted, can you? I mean, what does it look like to you?’

Sara was startled by her sister’s tone. She’d expected sympathy but instead she felt an element of judgement. Their eyes locked.

‘What?’ Hailey snapped. ‘There’s a video of you with a man sucking your nipples. What’s your husband supposed to think’s happening?’

Something clicked in Sara’s mind, a detail that had been niggling away. She picked up the phone, studied the image carefully, ignoring the naked figures but checking the surroundings. Yes, there it was. Her dress draped over the back of a chair.

‘Oh my God,’ she gasped. ‘It was this weekend. See that dress? James bought—’ She clamped her mouth shut. I’ve said too much.

Hailey’s eyes widened, her mouth gaping. ‘You were with James this weekend? So you weren’t at a hen party?’ Her expression hardened. ‘You know, I sort of had a feeling that something was off.’ Her finger jabbed the air. ‘You lied to me!’

‘It’s not what you think,’ Sara gasped. ‘It isn’t.’

‘Bloody hell! What am I supposed to think?’ Hailey glared at her, a look full of questions and doubt and anger. ‘I’m not even sure I want you here. You know I can’t stand liars and cheats.’ She forced her words through gritted teeth. ‘After everything we went through together, the promises we made each other, and you just…’ She stood and grabbed hold of Sara’s arm, pulling her to her feet. ‘I’m too angry to listen,’ she said as she marched her to the door. ‘You had everything you could possibly want, and you’ve thrown it all away. For what? A bit of casual sex?’ Her fingers dug into Sara’s flesh as she tried to undo the bolt at the top of the door.

Christ, she’s going to throw me out too! I’ve got to make her listen.

Sara squirmed out of her sister’s grasp and ran up the stairs. The bathroom was straight ahead and she dashed inside, locking the door behind her.