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 sparked my

a handsome man after a bath. My attention was fully on his reaction to

his phone in my hands. He

a guilty feeling eating at me. I was like a thief caught in the

as anger swirled in his eyes. "Ariana

going to hit me, I instinctively dodged. One of us pressed the shutter button, and there was a "click"

mirror. Just a few hours ago,

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

my body was exposed. I blushed and threw myself into his

onto his waist tightly while looking up at him with

26 years I had lived, Nicholas had been the

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

I loved Nicholas with all my

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

get hurt? Why did she get admitted to the

Just an old

evasion. I felt a pang of disappointment. I knew

it just be the two

honeymoon included Claudia. Right after 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

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

I never traveled alone again. I now realized how unhealthy our

take another honeymoon trip abroad? We should try for a baby. Frances is getting anxious," I pressed

of the tonic his mother had pumped him with. His brows

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

stop will be our own

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

kissed me back. His hands carefully cradled my

able

both hands and was about to take the next step when his phone buzzed. "Nick!" A message