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.

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

appreciate the sight of a handsome man after a bath.

phone in my hands. He scowled at me

guilty feeling eating at me. I was like a thief caught in the act. I didn't know

apple bobbed as anger swirled in his

reached 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 an

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

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

then did I realize my body was exposed. I blushed and

waist tightly while looking up at him with pleading eyes. "Honey, I want

lived, Nicholas had been the center of

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

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

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

probed him, "How did Claudia get hurt? Why did she

Just

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

just be the two

that time. They didn't tell me the specific cause of the illness. Back then,

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

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

take another honeymoon trip abroad? We should try for a baby.

to me, or perhaps he thought of the tonic his mother had pumped him with. His brows furrowed and then relaxed, and finally,

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

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

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

back. His hands carefully cradled my hips, and

able to turn

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