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

after a bath. My attention was fully

phone in my hands. He scowled at me and

said softly. There was a guilty feeling eating at me. I was 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 his eyes.

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 an inappropriate time. On the screen, I had disheveled hair,

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

His voice carried a hint of

body was exposed. I blushed and threw

his waist tightly while looking up at him with pleading eyes.

26 years I had lived, Nicholas had

eyes on him from a distance, I had never looked away. My teenage thoughts were delicate, and I was deeply immersed in

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

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

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

nothing. Just an

evasion. I felt a pang of

be the two of us?" I asked tentatively

the specific cause of the

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

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

should try for a baby. Frances

or perhaps he thought of the tonic his mother had pumped him

out the hair around my neck, which caused a tingle in my

stop will be our own country. The destination is Coral Villa in Radiant City, right here

leaped and hooked my arms around his neck. I kissed him fiercely

hands carefully cradled my

was able to turn

was about to take the next step when his phone buzzed. "Nick!" A message popped up on the notification