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.

tantalizing glimpse of

time, I couldn't appreciate the sight of a handsome man after a bath. My attention was fully on his reaction to

me to have his phone in my hands. He scowled at me and

me. I was like a thief caught in the act.

apple bobbed as anger swirled in his

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, tears welling in

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

a hint of teasing as

I blushed and threw myself into his

looking up at him with pleading eyes. "Honey,

26 years I had lived, Nicholas had been the

distance, I had never looked away.

my life to crumble. I loved Nicholas with all

slightly. "I have to accompany Claudia for the time being. After that, I can consider bringing you on a

did Claudia get hurt? Why did she get admitted

Just an

hint of evasion. I felt a

just be the two

tell me the specific cause of the illness. Back then, to show

time, and she was wary of me. She only wanted Nicholas to

how unhealthy our marriage was and how there had always been a third person in

for a baby. Frances is getting anxious," I pressed

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

country do you want to go to?" He helped me smooth out the hair around my neck, which caused a tingle

on 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 in our

his neck. I kissed him fiercely as my legs entwined

His hands carefully cradled my hips, and we both tumbled

was able to

with both hands and was about to take the next step when his