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.

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

first time, I couldn't appreciate the sight of a handsome man after

to have his phone in my hands. He scowled at

feeling eating at me. I was like a thief caught in the act. I didn't know what to say to break

Adam's apple bobbed as anger swirled

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 inappropriate time. On the screen,

was the same person who stood in front of the mirror. Just

a hint of

then did I realize 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 pleading eyes. "Honey,

I had lived, Nicholas had been the center of my life

first time I laid my eyes on him from a distance, I had never looked away. My teenage thoughts

loved Nicholas with all my heart, and

his jaw softened slightly. "I have

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

Just

hint of evasion. I felt a

the two of us?" I asked tentatively

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 to their request

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

and I never traveled alone again. I now realized how unhealthy our marriage was and how there had always been a third

We should try for a baby. Frances

debts to me, or perhaps he thought of the tonic his mother had pumped him with. His

out the hair around my neck, which caused

will

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

back. His hands carefully cradled my hips, and we both tumbled onto

was able to

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