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 body

the sight of a handsome man after a bath. My attention was

have his phone in my hands. He scowled

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

anger swirled in his

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

was the same person who stood in front of the mirror.

carried a hint of teasing as he said, "What's this? Documenting your

then did I realize my body was exposed. I blushed and threw

knelt on the bed and held onto his waist tightly while looking

the 26 years I had lived, Nicholas had been the center of my life

him from a distance, I had never looked

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

and the hard lines of his jaw softened slightly. "I have to accompany Claudia for the time being.

Why did she get admitted to the hospital in

Just an old

saw a hint of evasion. I felt a pang of disappointment. I knew

just be the two of

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 to take Claudia

she was wary of me. She only wanted Nicholas to accompany her. Out of consideration for her

our marriage was and how there had

trip abroad? We should try for a

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

my neck, which caused a tingle in my heart.

Claudia's delighted, pleasing demeanor. "Of course, the first stop will be our own

I kissed him fiercely as my legs

carefully cradled my hips, and we

able

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