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.

me a tantalizing glimpse of his V-line which led to other parts of his body that

after a bath. My attention was fully on

he hadn't expected me to have his phone in my hands. He scowled at

I 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

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.

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

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

then did I realize my body was exposed. I blushed

looking up at him with pleading eyes.

I had lived, Nicholas had been the center

eyes on him from a distance, I had never looked away.

want the faith in my life to crumble. I loved Nicholas with all my

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

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

nothing. Just an old

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

just be the two of us?" I

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

at the time, and she was wary of me. She only wanted Nicholas to accompany her. Out of

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

should try for a baby. Frances

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

hair around my neck, which caused a tingle in my heart. It was a

pleasing demeanor. "Of course, the first stop will be our own country. The destination

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

carefully cradled my hips,

I was able to turn him

hands and was about to take the