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.

glimpse of his V-line which led

the first time, I couldn't appreciate the sight of a handsome man after a bath. My attention

have his phone in my hands. He scowled at

I was like a thief caught in the act. I didn't

Adam's apple bobbed as anger

instinctively dodged. One of us pressed the shutter button, and there was a "click" that echoed in

of the mirror. Just a few hours ago, I had felt like a seductress who could capture his

carried a hint

I blushed and threw myself into his

bed and held onto his waist tightly while looking up at him with pleading eyes. "Honey, I want to

years I had lived, Nicholas had been the center of my

first time I laid my eyes on him from a distance, I had never looked

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

hard lines of his jaw softened slightly. "I have to accompany Claudia for

get hurt? Why did she

Just an

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

the two of us?"

our honeymoon included Claudia. 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 the illness. Back then, to show my generosity and to gain favor with the in-laws, I agreed to their request

time, and she was wary of me. She only wanted Nicholas to accompany her. Out of

since then, Nicholas and I never traveled alone again. I now realized how unhealthy our marriage was and how there had always been a third person in our

trip abroad? We should try for a

thought of the tonic his mother had pumped

want to go to?" He helped me smooth out the hair around my neck, which caused a tingle in

stop will be our own country. The destination is Coral Villa in Radiant City, right here

neck. I kissed

my hips, and

able to

on strong, and my flimsy clothes came off swiftly. He grabbed my ankles with both hands and was about to take the next