My Husband Is An International Idol

Chapter 13: Back To Reality

The next morning arrived far too quickly.

Chris hated it. Liliana hated it. But neither of them said so.

The entire village seemed unusually quiet as Chris loaded his luggage into the waiting vehicle.

His manager stood nearby checking schedules.

Matthew and Amanda St. Claire had already returned to the capital.

Even Grandmother Sterling had come outside to see him off.

Emily was somehow eating bread while observing the emotional atmosphere.

Chris finished placing the last suitcase inside the car. Then he turned around. His eyes immediately found Liliana.

For a moment, neither spoke. There were too many things to say. Too many things they couldn’t say. Not with everyone watching. Not with cameras still occasionally appearing around the village.

Finally, Chris sighed. "I’ll call."

Liliana smiled. "You better."

"I always do."

She didn’t answer and just smiled again.

Chris looked offended.

"I called three times a week during the last tour."

"Exactly."

Emily immediately interrupted.

"Wow. Three whole times."

Chris glared at her.

Emily continued chewing happily. "A devoted husband."

"Thank you."

"That was sarcasm."

Chris ignored her. Then he looked back at Liliana.

His expression softened. "I’ll see you soon."

She nodded. "Good luck with the concert."

"Thanks."

Neither moved.

Emily groaned dramatically. "Oh my God."

Everyone turned toward her.

"What now?" Chris asked.

"Either hug or leave."

The entire group froze.

Liliana nearly died. Chris coughed.

While Grandmother looked entertained.

Emily pointed at them. "You two are painful to watch."

"Emily."

"I’m just saying."

Chris immediately entered the vehicle.

The door closed. The engine started. And within minutes, the car disappeared down the village road.

Liliana stood there watching until it vanished completely.

Only then did she turn around and head back inside.

The house suddenly felt larger.

And much quieter.

Meanwhile, several hours later...

Chris’s peaceful return to the city lasted approximately three minutes.

The moment he entered the rehearsal studio, disaster struck.

Specifically in the form of his bandmates.

"There he is."

"The village favorite."

"The nation’s grandson."

"The farmer."

Chris immediately regretted coming back.

His bandmates surrounded him. Three grown men with absolutely no respect for personal boundaries.

Leo, the leader of Pulse, shoved a phone into his face.

The screen displayed an article.

"Chris St. Claire Helps Grandma Buy Eggs."

Chris closed his eyes. "I hate all of you."

His bandmates laughed.

Another article appeared.

"Grandma Sterling’s Favorite Grandson Trends Worldwide."

The laughter became louder.

Chris considered violence. Only briefly.

His manager immediately intervened. "Enough."

The group dispersed reluctantly. Unfortunately, they were not finished. Not even close.

During rehearsal breaks, they continued asking questions.

"So..."

"No."

"Come on."

"No."

"Is Grandma real?"

Chris stared. "She exists."

"Can she cook?"

"Yes."

"Can she adopt us?"

Chris walked away.

Unfortunately, his suffering had only begun. Because rehearsals started immediately.

Eight hours. Then ten. Then twelve.

Dance practice. Vocal practice. Stage blocking. Interviews. Photoshoots. Meetings.

The days became a blur.

Chris threw himself into work. Partly because he had no choice. And staying busy prevented him from thinking too much about the countryside, the quiet mornings, and about someone waiting hundreds of kilometers away.

Then, as if his schedule wasn’t already terrible, his agency announced another project.

Modeling.

Chris stared at the contract. Then at his manager. Then back at the contract.

"No."

His manager smiled. "Yes."

"No."

"Too late. The chairman approved."

Chris sighed. He wouldn’t dare go against his father.

And so, he was now the face of a luxury fashion campaign.

Photoshoots began the following week. And his life somehow became even busier.

Back in Sterling Village, life slowly returned to normal.

At least for Liliana. Or as normal as possible.

She woke up early. Prepared breakfast. Cleaned the house.

Cleaned it again. Then cleaned things that were already clean.

She would visit Grandmother Sterling in the afternoon and would return home before dinner.

After dinner, she would clean again. Watch tv shows or if Chris had some guesting, interviews. If there’s nothing to watch, she would read a book before going to bed.

Then repeat.

This particular morning, she was reorganizing the pantry. Again.

When Emily appeared again.

Liliana didn’t even react anymore.

Emily sat at the table. Watching. Waiting. Observing like a predator.

Liliana immediately became suspicious. "What?"

Emily smiled. "I have questions."

"No."

"You don’t even know the question."

"Still no."

Emily ignored her. "Do you regret marrying Chris?"

Liliana paused.

The question surprised her. Then she slowly turned around. "No."

Emily blinked.

The answer had come too quickly. Too honestly.

"Never?"

Liliana thought for a moment. Then shook her head. "No."

Emily leaned forward. "Really?"

"Really."

The response was calm. Certain. Confident.

Emily studied her cousin carefully.

Then asked another question. "How did you two even end up married?"

Liliana froze briefly. A dangerous question.

Because the truth involved family agreements and promises made years ago.

Promises almost nobody knew about.

She smiled lightly. "Our families were friends."

"That’s it?"

"That’s it."

"But how come we never knew your friends with the St.Claire’s?"

Liliana sighed. "It’s his dad and mine who were friends. We met when we were kids."

Emily smiled excitedly. "Yeah. I already know that. But tell me more!"

"No."

"Hey, come on!"

"I said no. Go home!"

Clearly unsatisfied, Emily didn’t ask further. For now.

Then she asked the question she really wanted to ask.

"Are you happy?"

The room became quiet.

Liliana looked down at the dish she was drying.

Happy? The word lingered.

Their marriage wasn’t perfect. Long-distance relationships were difficult. Chris worked constantly. Sometimes months passed before they could spend time together. Sometimes she missed him so much it physically hurt.

But...

She remembered the way he always called. The gifts he secretly sent. The way he noticed every small thing about her. The way he looked at her.

A small smile appeared. "Yes."

Emily noticed the smile. The softness. The certainty. And suddenly understood.

Her cousin was completely in love.

Emily rested her chin on her hand. "Then aren’t you worried?"

Liliana frowned. "Worried about what?"

Emily hesitated.

Then decided to say it. "Affairs."

The smile disappeared.

Emily continued carefully.

"Chris is famous."

"I know."

"He’s handsome."

"I know."

"There are celebrities."

Liliana nodded. "I know."

"Models."

Another nod.

"Singers."

"Emily."

"I’m serious." Emily sat upright. "There are probably hundreds of women interested in him."

The statement hung in the air.

Because it was true. Everyone knew it was true.

Chris was young. Handsome. Rich. Famous. The kind of man constantly surrounded by attractive people.

Emily looked concerned. "Doesn’t that bother you?"

Liliana became silent.

For several moments, she simply stared out the kitchen window. At the garden. At the flowers. At the peaceful countryside she loved.

Finally, she spoke. "Of course it does."

Emily blinked. The honesty surprised her.

Liliana smiled weakly. "I’m human."

The answer was simple. Real.

"I know there are women around him." She looked down. "I know some of them probably like him."

Emily listened quietly.

"But I also know Chris." The confidence returned.

Liliana looked toward the distant road leading out of the village.

The same road Chris had taken yesterday.

"If I can’t trust my own husband, then what’s the point of being married?"

Emily stared. Then slowly smiled. The answer sounded so simple. Yet somehow so powerful.

"I’m sorry for asking. But I’m worried. We all are. We like Chris. Aside from being the most popular idol in the world, he’s okay." Emily smiled again.

Liliana understood. Her cousins might be chaotic and loud, but they really care about her.

"I know. If something goes wrong, I’ll tell you."

Outside, the afternoon breeze moved through the garden.

And far away in the city, Chris stood before a camera during another exhausting photoshoot.

Completely unaware that his wife had just defended him without hesitation.

And completely unaware that fate was already preparing a brand-new problem for both of them.

One involving a beautiful supermodel.

A persistent rumor.

And a photograph that would shake the entire internet once again.