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.

It gave me a tantalizing glimpse of his V-line which led to

man after a

to have his phone in my hands. He scowled

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

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 inappropriate time. On the screen,

believe this was the same person who stood in front of the mirror. Just a few hours ago, I had felt like a seductress who could capture his

slightly. His voice carried a hint

body was exposed. I

the bed and held onto his waist tightly while looking up at

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

distance, I had never looked away. My teenage thoughts were delicate, and I was deeply immersed

crumble. I loved Nicholas with all my

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

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

Just

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

two of

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

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

unhealthy our marriage was and how there had

abroad? We should try for

me, or perhaps he thought of the tonic his

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

and mimicked Claudia's delighted, pleasing demeanor. "Of course, the first stop will be our

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

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

able to turn him

came off swiftly. He grabbed my ankles with both hands and was about