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.

his lower half. It gave me a tantalizing glimpse of his V-line which led to other parts of his body that

a handsome man after a bath. My

phone in my hands. He scowled at

like a thief caught in the act. I didn't know what to say to break the

Adam's apple bobbed as anger swirled in

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

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

the phone, and his expression softened slightly. His voice carried a hint of teasing

realize my body was exposed. I blushed and threw

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

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

looked away. My teenage thoughts were delicate, and I was

Nicholas with all

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

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

Just an

I felt a pang of disappointment. I knew he didn't want to tell me

just be the two of us?" I

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 to take Claudia with us abroad

only wanted Nicholas

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

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

the tonic his mother had pumped him with. His

helped me smooth out the hair around my neck, which caused a tingle in my heart. It was a mix

a smile and mimicked Claudia's delighted, pleasing demeanor. "Of course, the first stop will be our own country. The destination

his neck. I kissed him fiercely as my legs entwined

hands carefully cradled my hips, and we both

I was able to turn him

ankles with both hands and was about to take the next