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 which led to other parts of

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

he hadn't expected me to have his phone in my

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

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

front of the mirror. Just a few hours ago, I had felt

and his expression 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

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

Nicholas had been the center

never looked away. My teenage thoughts were delicate, and I was deeply immersed in a fantasy of

didn't want the faith in my life to crumble. I loved Nicholas with all my heart, and I wanted him to

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

"How did Claudia get hurt? Why did she get admitted to the hospital in the middle of the

nothing. Just

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

two of

tell me the specific cause of the illness. Back then, to show my generosity and to gain favor with the in-laws,

wary of me. She only wanted Nicholas to accompany her. Out of consideration for her illness, I

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,"

or perhaps he thought of the tonic his mother had pumped

do you want to go to?" He 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 is Coral Villa in Radiant City, right here

my arms around his neck. I kissed him fiercely

back. His hands carefully cradled my hips, and we

able to

grabbed my ankles with both hands and was about to take the