Trouble in Paradise

It's been 4 years into my marriage but my husband never had slept with me.

I always thought he wasn't interested in it.

One night, just when he held me tight and was about to take the next step, his phone buzzed.

It was from his stepsister.

He left without hesitation.

I now realized how unhealthy our marriage was. There were three of us in this marriage, so it was a bit crowded

Nicholas' stepsister Claudia was admitted to the hospital late at night. It seemed my role was merely to bring some clothes over. I was treated no differently from a maid.

Having been married to Nicholas for four years, I had grown accustomed to his indifference. Thus, I decided to find the doctor myself to understand the situation.

The doctor explained that the patient's disease caused by breeding.

At that moment, I felt my heart sink.

As far as I knew, Claudia did not have a boyfriend, and yet it was my husband who had brought her to the hospital.

The doctor nudged his reading glasses and looked at me with some sympathy. "Young people nowadays love novelty and seek excitement."

"What do you mean?"

I wished he would tell me more, but he simply shook his head and ushered me out of the office.

The hospital was bustling even though it was one in the morning. While lost in my thoughts, I bumped into several people in the corridor.

Claudia's mother, Frances White, had remarried into the Hawk family. After I married Nicholas, Claudia expressed her unwillingness to stay in Hawk Manor, Nicholas' family home.

Therefore, she had moved in with us into our marital home.

I had witnessed Claudia planting kisses on Nicholas' cheeks countless times. Initially, I thought their sibling relationship was just affectionate.

But now, perhaps they kissed each other on the lips when no one was around. Who knew?

I dared not dwell on that thought and stumbled to the ward.

Claudia's pale cheeks were streaked with tears as she clung to Nicholas' sleeve. She was murmuring something I couldn't make out, and she looked pitifully distraught.

The notion of eavesdropping through the walls like what was depicted on TV shows was utterly unrealistic. Modern doors had excellent soundproofing, especially when securely closed.

Nicholas stood with his back to me. His expression was hidden from view and his voice was inaudible. Nevertheless, one thing was for certain—he must be feeling distressed.

My hand paused on the door handle, but in the end, I let it go.

Rushing in and demanding answers outright would be irrational. Besides, I wasn't sure if I could handle the truth.

My marriage with Nicholas had originally been a union of two equally powerful families. I had often felt fortunate to live in luxury and marry for love.

But as the four years of marriage flew by, everything changed. With my father's passing, my family's fortunes subsequently declined.

I wasn't cut out for business, so to prevent my father's hard work from going to waste, I could only watch my mother struggle alone.

On regular days, the company benefited greatly from Nicholas' favors.

If I were to barge in and create a scene based on mere suspicion, it might jeopardize what little remained of our already fading marital bond.

With no one at home, I went straight to Claudia's room. Girls tended to have many thoughts on their minds, and where love was involved, it was hard to keep those feelings bottled up.

Claudia wasn't an ambitious child; skipping classes in college was routine for her. Whenever she needed money, she liked to cling to Nicholas' arm and act cute. She'd say, "Nick, give me money please."

Claudia was five feet and two inches tall, making her a rather petite woman. She had a doll-like smile. Nicholas would fall prey to her cuteness, but he wasn't the only one. Every time she acted cute, even I ended up giving her extra pocket money.

Yet, her room had no books or notebooks. There was only a picture of her and Nicholas on the dressing table, a long-time memory from their childhood.

Claudia had once told me the picture was taken on the day she visited Hawk Manor for the first time, and she had begged to take a photo with her handsome stepbrother.

Back then, Nicholas was already mature and poised despite his tender age. His youthful face, even when he was grumpy, could not hide his good looks. Claudia said it was her favorite picture.

When I couldn't find anything in Claudia's room, I went to Nicholas' study. I even searched through the contracts in the safe, but still found nothing.

At three in the morning, I picked up my phone and searched online, "How to find evidence of my husband's infidelity."

The answers were varied, but none of them applied to our kind of household.

Nicholas had rooms reserved in various hotels, and there would be no records of his stays.

I tossed and turned in bed, unable to sleep. Finally, I decided to send a message to Nicholas that said, "Honey, are you coming home tonight?"

I was acutely aware that I wanted to use his concern for me as evidence that he hadn't cheated. Subconsciously, I refused to accept the truth, especially considering it involved my sister-in-law.

However, at the same time, I also knew Nicholas wouldn't come home. Instead, he would stay up all night tirelessly taking care of Claudia.

My heart ached.

To my surprise, five minutes later, I received a reply from Nicholas. It was a simple "Yes," as emotionless as he was in person.

Strangely, such indifference made me ecstatic.

Propping up my head, I scrutinized myself in the mirror. My bright eyes reflected a sense of innocence that was unfamiliar with the ways of the world.

But at 26 years old, I understood best how this purity and the lingerie I wore could affect a man.

I sat boldly on the couch in the living room, just so Nicholas would see me as soon as he opened the door. With Claudia conveniently absent, I thought I'd add a bit of excitement to the mix.

I waited until five in the morning, but there were no sounds of any cars pulling into the driveway. When I drifted off to sleep, my tears fell onto Nicholas' one-word reply on my phone.

I didn't know how long I had been asleep when someone nudged my shoulder. I opened my eyes to see Nicholas' enigmatic face before me.

As I sat up from the couch, the blanket slipped off to reveal my body which was carefully dressed to impress. I greeted him with a smile, "Honey, are you hungry? Would you like me to make you something to eat?"

It had been a long time since we'd been intimate. If he saw me dressed like this and heard my teasing words, how could they possibly resist?

"I was caught up with something," he explained simply. He reached out to carry me upstairs.

I knew what he meant. It was probably because of Claudia. But at that moment, I couldn't care less. He was merely holding me in his arms, yet I easily felt aroused and cuddled up to him.

I kissed his Adam's apple, partly playful and partly seductive as I spoke. "Honey, I want you."

However, he didn't respond to my advances.

"Put on something. Don't catch a cold."

He placed me on the bed and left after saying that. He headed straight to the bathroom.

The more desire I had, the more ashamed I felt.

If he was truly cheating on me, he had enough desire to land Claudia in the hospital. Conversely, he didn't want to touch his own wife.

I felt so overwhelmed that it was hard to breathe properly.

In just ten minutes, my arousal had already faded, but the water in the bathroom was still running.

I spoke through the bathroom door. "How's Claudia? Do you need me to go take care of her?"

"No need. I'll go be with her after showering."

"Don't you have to work? I could take care of her just as well."

The rushing water in the bathroom couldn't drown out his determination as he replied, "Ariana, she can't do without me right now!"

I chuckled through my tears as I leaned against the door. Was that really the reason, or was it because he was the one responsible for Claudia's injury?

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 get into 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.

He had a gray towel wrapped around his lower half. It gave me a tantalizing glimpse of his V-line which led to other parts of his body that sparked my imagination.

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

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

"Honey," 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 break the awkwardness.

His Adam's apple bobbed as anger swirled in his eyes. "Ariana Jones!"

Nicholas 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, I had disheveled hair, tears welling in my eyes, and a deathly pale complexion.

It was hard to 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 soul.

Nicholas glanced at the phone, and his expression softened slightly. His voice carried a hint of teasing as he said, "What's this? Documenting your first time wearing lingerie for me?"

Only then did I realize my body was exposed. I blushed and threw myself into his arms. "I'm sorry."

I knelt on the bed and held onto his waist tightly while looking up at him with pleading eyes. "Honey, I want to do it."

Of the 26 years I had lived, Nicholas had been the center of my life for 20.

From the first time I laid my eyes on him from a distance, I had never looked away. My teenage thoughts were delicate, and I was deeply immersed in a fantasy of unrequited love.

I didn't want the faith in my life to crumble. I loved Nicholas with all my heart, and I wanted him to love me the same.

Nicholas raised his hand to stroke my head, and the hard lines of his jaw softened slightly. "I have to accompany Claudia for the time being. After that, I can consider bringing you on a trip."

I cautiously probed him, "How did Claudia get hurt? Why did she get admitted to the hospital in the middle of the night?"

"It's nothing. Just an old ailment."

In Nicholas' usually cold and firm gaze, I unexpectedly saw a hint of evasion. I felt a pang of disappointment. I knew he didn't want to tell me the truth.

"Will it just be the two of us?" I asked tentatively again.

Even our 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 gain favor with the in-laws, I agreed to their request to take Claudia with us abroad for treatment.

She was still underage at the time, and she was wary of me. She only wanted Nicholas to accompany her. Out of consideration for her illness, I didn't say anything.

But since then, Nicholas and I never traveled alone again. I now realized how unhealthy our marriage was and how there had always been a third person in our lives.

Nicholas hesitated.

"How about we take another honeymoon trip abroad? We should try for a baby. Frances is getting anxious," I pressed and upped the stakes.

Perhaps Nicholas remembered 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 finally, he nodded.

"Which country do you want to go to?" He helped me smooth out the hair around my neck, which caused a tingle in my heart. It was a mix of love and hate.

I put 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 bed!"

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

He kissed me back. His hands carefully cradled my body, and we both tumbled onto the bed.

Finally, I was able to turn him on.

Nicholas came on strong, and my flimsy clothes came off swiftly. He grabbed my ankles with both hands and was about to take the next step when his phone buzzed.

"Nick!" A message popped up on the notification bar.

The pressure on my ankles increased, causing me some discomfort. He clearly noticed the message too.

Claudia then sent several images.

"Nick, do I look good? Quick, praise me!"

"Haven't you finished showering yet? When are you coming back?"

Claudia was always cheerful and enthusiastic. She always fired off messages like a machine gun.

Nicholas released me, but I didn't let him go. I hooked my legs around his waist.

"Don't go. Can't we continue?"

My voice was impossibly soft. I was doing everything I could to entice him.

His voice was hoarse as he pinched my legs. "I'm not in the mood anymore."

The pain made me loosen my grip, and I watched him wrap a towel around himself and head downstairs to the walk-in wardrobe.

In this household, Claudia and I had different roles. She was the pampered darling of the family, the privileged child.

Meanwhile, as Nicholas' wife, I must act appropriately at all times, be gentle and virtuous, and "see the bigger picture."

In the past, if he had said something like that, I would obediently lie down and continue to dwell in the bitter emptiness and loneliness.

But once the seed of doubt had sprouted, it wouldn't stop growing unless something was proven.

Hurriedly, I chased after him barefoot.

What I saw in the walk-in wardrobe was shocking.

Nicholas had his phone propped up on the watch display cabinet and nestled between two watch boxes. One hand gripped the edge of the cabinet, while the other moved swiftly below his waist.

Not far from him lay the gray bath towel he had kicked aside. Although most of his body was obscured, it was easy to guess what he was doing.

Soon, the walk-in wardrobe was filled with the unmistakable sounds. It oozed sensuality.

My toes curled against the wooden floor. A cold wave washed over me and froze me in place as if by some spell. I couldn’t move a muscle.

Nicholas quickly grabbed a few tissues. I thought he was done, but to my dismay, he started all over again.

Only now did the real pain set in. Every motion of his arm felt like a knife to my heart.

Claudia’s few photos could pull my husband out of our bed and play with himself while ignoring me, the living, breathing woman right here with him.

At that moment, a deafening realization hit me: Nicholas was cheating on me!

His actions shattered my world and confirmed my worst fears. I was betrayed by the one I loved most. My dignity had been trampled on, and it all became painfully clear.

I didn’t understand why I was smiling even as tears streamed down my face.

I didn’t confront him. Instead, I returned to our room alone, shut the door firmly, and had a quick cry. Then, I quickly washed my face and put on makeup.

I needed to get to the hospital and see Claudia before he did.

The court wouldn’t grant me more in the divorce simply because my husband played with himself to another woman's photos. I needed more concrete evidence.

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