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.

half. It gave me a tantalizing glimpse of

of a handsome man after a bath. My attention was fully on his reaction

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

a thief caught in the act. I

Adam's apple bobbed as anger swirled

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 in the room at

believe this was the same person who stood in front of the mirror. Just a

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

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

held onto his waist tightly while looking up

I had lived, Nicholas had

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

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

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

she

nothing. Just an

cold and firm gaze, I unexpectedly saw a hint of evasion. I felt a pang of disappointment. I

the two of

didn't tell me the specific cause of the illness. Back then, to show my generosity and to gain

was still underage at the time, and she was wary of me. She only wanted Nicholas to accompany

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

another honeymoon trip abroad? We should try for a

debts to me, or perhaps he thought of the tonic his mother had

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

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

his neck. I kissed him

His hands carefully cradled my

was able

came on strong, and my flimsy clothes came off swiftly. He grabbed my ankles with both hands and was about to take the next step when his phone buzzed. "Nick!" A message popped up on