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.

towel wrapped around his lower half. It gave me a tantalizing glimpse of his V-line which led to other

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

his phone in my hands. He scowled at me

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

Adam's apple bobbed as anger swirled in his

dodged. One of us pressed the shutter button, and there was a "click" that echoed in the room at an inappropriate time. On the screen, I had disheveled hair, tears welling in my eyes, and a

person who stood in front of the mirror. Just a few hours ago, I had felt like a seductress who

slightly. His voice carried a hint of teasing as

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

on the bed and held onto his waist tightly while looking up at him with

lived, Nicholas had been the center of my life for

the first time I laid my eyes on him from a distance, I had never looked away. My teenage thoughts were delicate, and I was deeply immersed in a fantasy

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

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

"How did Claudia get hurt? Why did she get admitted

Just an old

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

be the two

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

she was wary of me. She only wanted Nicholas

now realized how unhealthy our marriage was and how there had always been a third

abroad? We should try for

tonic his mother had pumped him with. His

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

first stop will be our own country. The destination is

my arms around his neck. I kissed him fiercely as my legs entwined

cradled my hips, and we both

was able to

flimsy clothes came off swiftly. He grabbed my ankles with both hands and was about to take