Claimed

James: Like masturbating?

Earl: Sure. Something like that, or maybe something even more private, like making her squat on newspaper to move her bowels while you film it. I have found just the threat of such a punishment very effective in keeping my wife in line.

James wasn’t sure filming Kelsey taking a dump was the way he wanted to go, but he had to admit the idea of public humiliation was arousing. Still, there was the core issue still to deal with.

James: She said she hates me.

His face burned as he typed those words, and he was glad for the relative anonymity of the internet.

Earl: She doesn’t mean it. If she’s in this lifestyle, she wants your firm hand. She yearns for your control. She’s just testing you, the way a child does. She’s pushing the envelope. She’s relying on you to put her in her place. It’s where she longs to be. It’s where she needs to be. It’s up to you to put her back there so she feels cherished and safe.

James leaped on Earl’s words, hope suddenly flaring where a moment before all had been dark. Maybe Earl was right! She had just been testing him. She wanted him to come down on her with a firm hand. She needed him to help her get to where she belonged. His mistake had been in being too easy on her. He needed to show her in no uncertain terms that he was in charge, no matter what she did. His love was unconditional, but so was his control.

Earl: You still there, James?

James: Yes. I was just mulling over what you said.

Earl: Let me know when you’re ready. We’ll do a public announcement on the site, and I’ll send emails to all the members encouraging them to watch and comment. Your wife will think long and hard before she dares to raise her hand to you again. But James, don’t forget one thing.

James: Yes?

Earl: Once she’s been chastised, you must find it in your heart to forgive her, wholly and without reservation. That’s the beauty of our kind of lifestyle. You punish her, but then you let it go, and the two of you can move forward with a clean slate. No lingering resentments, no recriminations. Just a purer love, made all the stronger by your firm hand and her repentant tears.

James: Thanks, Earl. I knew you’d have good advice. I’m feeling much better.

Earl: Glad to be of help. Don’t dawdle now. You need to act fast, while the transgression is still fresh. Make the video now, punish her as you need to, and then let it go and move on.

James logged off, excited by what he was going to do. Earl was right—it was up to him to train Kelsey. If she still thought she hated him, it was because he wasn’t doing a good enough job teaching her to accept her position as his obedient wife. He would do better, starting now.

He got a pillowcase from the linen closet, along with a hank of rope and a roll of duct tape. He placed the items on the edge of the bathtub and returned to the bedroom. He slid back the latch that kept the closet closed and pulled the door open.

Kelsey was lying on her side, curled into a fetal ball. She blinked as light flooded the small space. James saw the bruise that bloomed over her cheek like a purple flower, and his heart constricted with remorse, until he remembered the knife, and her murderous intent.

“Get up,” he said brusquely. He reached for her, pulling her to her feet. She swayed as her eyes swept the long gash on his shoulder, her mouth falling open. “That’s right,” James said as he pulled her out of the closet. “You did that. You could have killed me. I hope you’re proud of yourself.”

“I’m sorry, James. I—”

“Save it. I don’t want to hear it right now. Not a fucking word.”

Wisely, she shut her mouth. He led her to the bathroom and pointed to the tub. “Get in and stay on your feet. We’re going to make a movie.”

She shrank back. “I said get in,” James said, half-lifting her as he forced her into the bathtub. “This is what’s called a humiliation exercise. Humiliation is an important tool, especially when training a disobedient willful wife such as yourself. Here’s what’s going to happen.” As he talked, he pulled her hands behind her back and clipped her wrist cuffs together. “You’re going to pee while standing up while I take a video of you. You’re going to spread your legs and spread your cunt with your fingers so everyone can see you piss on yourself. Because I don’t want to show your face on the internet, I’m going to put a hood over your head. And because I can’t trust you to keep your mouth shut, I’m going to tape it shut.”