“I need you to be quiet while I explain a few things,” she said. “Do you think you can manage that?”

She never spoke to him like this. Even if he was being grumpy after a hard day at school, she was always patient and understanding.

“I asked you a question,” she snapped.

“Explain what?”

“Open your emails. I’ve sent you something.”

Scott took out his phone and tapped the relevant icon. Casey’s message had no subject, no text, just an attached video. He clicked it; the video downloaded and then started to play.

The first minute was a slideshow of photos: all of which had clearly been taken in secret. Scott was asleep in bed, naked. He was standing in the shower, mouth open in mid-conversation. She must’ve been pretending to use her phone, discreetly snapping shots. There were photos of him sitting on the toilet. More of him naked in bed.

Other videos played.

She must’ve hidden the camera in the corner of the bedroom, near the dresser drawers. The angle had been expertly chosen. He and Casey were having sex, but Scott could only see his own face, his own shifting body. Casey was on the bottom, out of view. The video changed, and now he was standing at the edge of the bed – Casey still out of view – masturbating.

Scott tossed his phone onto the sofa cushions.

“There are more,” Casey said. “But this gives you an idea.”

“I don’t understand.”

“It’s simple.” She smiled in a way he’d never seen before, all teeth. “I’ve been pretending this whole time. I never loved you. I was thinking about other people every time we had sex. I think you’re a pathetic and selfish man.”

Scott blinked. There were tears in his eyes. He pawed angrily at his face as he leapt to his feet. “Casey, what is this? What are you playing at?”

“Would you agree that your career as a secondary school teacher would be ruined if these videos found their way into the wrong hands?”

Scott loomed over her. He’d never hit a woman, but his body was taut. He wanted to snap, to shout, to flip the coffee table.

“Honey, please.” Casey sighed. “You can stand there trying to look tough all you want, but it doesn’t change anything. Answer my question.”

“Yes. Obviously it would have an effect on my career.”

“So you agree you don’t want me to release these videos?”

Scott felt like he was hallucinating. He leaned down, meaning to place his hand on her shoulder; then she would smile for him in that just-Casey way, so sweet, so affectionate, and tell him she’d never hurt him.

She stared coldly. “Sit down. I don’t want you anywhere near me.”

“Casey–”

“Sit down or I send the videos to every member of staff at your school. Now, Scott.”

Scott returned to the sofa. “Why are you doing this?”

“As if I’d tell you that.” She giggled; just like with the weird smiling, he’d never heard her laugh like that before. “I didn’t plan on making it last a full year. I had everything I needed after a couple of months. But the thought, it was too captivating, too interesting. Our first-year anniversary. Just look at your face. That alone was worth it. Are you crying, you big baby?”