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.

around his lower half. It gave me a tantalizing glimpse of his V-line

I couldn't appreciate the sight of a handsome man after a bath. My attention was fully on his reaction to

have his phone in

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

apple bobbed as anger swirled in his

instinctively dodged. One of us pressed the shutter button, and there was a

was hard to believe this was the same person who stood in front of the mirror. Just a few hours

a hint of teasing as he said, "What's this? Documenting your first time wearing lingerie for

did I realize my body was exposed. I blushed and threw myself into his arms. "I'm

his waist tightly while looking up at him

lived, Nicholas had been the center of my life for

first time I laid my eyes on him from a distance, I had never looked away. My teenage thoughts were

life to crumble. I loved Nicholas with all my heart, and I

lines of his jaw softened slightly. "I have to accompany Claudia for the time being. After that, I can consider bringing you on a

hurt? Why did she get

Just an old

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

just be the two of us?"

that time. They didn't tell me the specific cause of the illness. Back then,

of me. She only wanted Nicholas to accompany her. Out of

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

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

tonic his mother had pumped him with. His brows furrowed

my

pleasing demeanor. "Of course, the first stop will be our own country. The destination is

around his neck. I

my hips,

able to

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