Trouble in Paradise by Three Way

My gaze fell on Nicholas' pants draped over the bed. The loose waistband was twisted into what looked like a crying face. The black phone peeking out from one corner seemed depressing. In our married life, I valued both love and privacy. We respected each other's personal space and never touched each other's phones.

But earlier, I had already searched through his study. Would this make a difference?

I pulled out his phone and swiftly burrowed under the covers. I hid my head as well.

I was nervous.

Nothing good ever came out of going through your partner's phone. I was scared of finding evidence of his and Claudia's dalliance, but I was also afraid of finding nothing and becoming paranoid.

My teeth were chattering as I thought of the rosary beads he liked to wear.

Nicholas, what exactly were you hiding from me?

Whether it was my trembling hands or nervousness, I entered the wrong password several times.

At last, a message appeared on the screen: "Incorrect password. Please retry in 30 seconds."

Was I naive?

I could unlock his safe but not his phone.

With my pounding heartbeat in the background, I mentally went through all the passwords I could think of. My mouth was dry, and I was swallowing air while I counted down the seconds.

Five, four, three, two...

Suddenly, the blanket covering my head was lifted.

"What are you doing?"

Nicholas stood there, and his bare upper body was dripping with water. His eight-pack abs were on display.

me a tantalizing glimpse of his V-line which led to other parts of his body that

man after a bath. My attention was fully on his reaction to me holding

phone

I said softly. There was a guilty feeling eating at me. I was like a thief caught in the act. I

Adam's apple bobbed as anger swirled in his eyes.

hit me, I instinctively dodged. One of us pressed the shutter button, and there was a "click" that echoed in the room at an inappropriate time. On the screen, I had disheveled hair, tears welling in my eyes, and

stood in front of the mirror. Just a few hours

and his expression softened slightly. His voice carried a hint of teasing as he said,

then did I realize my body was exposed. I blushed and threw myself into his arms.

while looking up at him with pleading eyes.

I had lived, Nicholas had been the center

had never looked

to crumble. I loved Nicholas with all my heart, and I wanted him to love

his jaw softened slightly. "I have to accompany Claudia

did she get admitted to the hospital in the middle of

Just

gaze, I unexpectedly saw a hint of evasion. I felt a pang of disappointment. I knew

it just be the two of us?" I

Right after I married Nicholas, Claudia had fallen seriously ill, and the whole family was very tense at that time. They didn't tell me the specific cause of

me. She only wanted Nicholas to

alone again. I now realized how unhealthy our marriage was and how there had always been a third person

another honeymoon trip abroad? We should try for a baby. Frances is getting anxious," I pressed

he thought of the tonic his mother had pumped him with. His brows

smooth out the hair around my neck, which caused a tingle in

and mimicked Claudia's delighted, pleasing demeanor. "Of course, the first stop will be our own country. The destination is Coral

neck. I kissed him fiercely as my

me back. His hands carefully cradled my hips, and we both

was able to turn him

swiftly. He grabbed my ankles with both hands and was about to take the next step when his phone buzzed. "Nick!" A