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.

had a gray towel wrapped around his lower half. It gave me a tantalizing glimpse of his V-line which led to other parts of his

a handsome man after a bath. My

expected me to have his phone in my hands. He scowled

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

anger swirled in

reached for the phone. But thinking he was going to hit me, I instinctively dodged. One of us pressed the shutter button, and there was a "click" that echoed

hard to believe this was the same person who stood in front of the mirror. Just a few hours ago, I had felt like a seductress who could capture his

expression softened slightly. His voice carried a hint of teasing as he said, "What's

exposed. I blushed and threw myself into his arms. "I'm

onto his waist tightly while looking up

had lived, Nicholas had been

a distance, I had never looked away. My teenage thoughts were delicate, and I was deeply immersed in a fantasy

the faith in my life to crumble. I loved Nicholas with all my heart, and I wanted him to love me the

to stroke my head, and the hard lines of his jaw softened slightly. "I have to accompany Claudia for the time

cautiously probed him, "How did Claudia get hurt? Why did she get admitted to the hospital

nothing. Just an old

usually cold and firm gaze, I unexpectedly saw a hint of evasion. I felt a pang of disappointment. I knew he didn't want

two

tell me the specific cause of the illness. Back then, to show my generosity and to gain

was wary of me. She only wanted Nicholas to accompany

again. I now realized how unhealthy our marriage was and how there had always

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

me, or perhaps he thought of the tonic his mother

my neck, which caused a tingle in my heart. It was a

will be our

and hooked my arms around his neck. I kissed him fiercely as my

me back. His hands carefully cradled my hips, and

was able to turn him

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