My Husband Is An International Idol

Chapter 2: A Wife Nobody Knows

The crowd roared.

Thousands of light sticks illuminated the massive stadium like a sea of stars.

"Pulse! Pulse! Pulse!"

The deafening cheers echoed through every corner of the arena.

Standing center stage, Chris St. Claire adjusted his microphone and smiled at the audience.

The fans immediately screamed louder.

If the security barriers weren’t there, some of them might have rushed the stage.

After all, Chris was considered the most popular member of Pulse.

His handsome face, charming personality, and incredible vocals had captured millions of hearts around the world.

To his fans, he was the perfect man.

Successful. Talented. Rich. Single.

Chris nearly laughed at that last part.

Single.

If only they knew.

The music started.

The lights exploded across the stage.

And Pulse’s final performance of the night began.

Meanwhile, thousands of miles away, Liliana sat comfortably on her couch.

A bowl of popcorn rested on her lap. Her thick glasses reflected the television screen.

The live broadcast of Pulse’s concert was currently playing. So she was completely focused.

"Wow..."

Chris was singing one of Pulse’s most famous songs.

The crowd was practically crying. Liliana understood why. His voice was beautiful. Powerful and emotional.

Even after years of marriage, she still became captivated whenever she watched him perform.

It was strange.

At home, Chris was simply Chris. A quiet man who forgot where he left his keys.

A husband who occasionally sent her thirty-seven boxes of expensive gifts.

A person who liked stealing vegetables from her garden just to annoy her.

Yet on stage, he transformed into someone else entirely. A superstar. A man born for the spotlight.

Liliana smiled softly.

"He looks happy."

Her phone suddenly buzzed. A message appeared from her best friend.

Sophia: ARE YOU WATCHING THE CONCERT?!

Liliana immediately replied.

Liliana: Yes.

Sophia: CHRIS IS SO HANDSOME!!!

Liliana stared at the message. Then at the television. Then back at the message.

Well, Sophia wasn’t wrong.

Sophia: If I could marry him, I would die happy.

Liliana nearly choked on her popcorn.

Sophia: Seriously. What kind of woman will end up marrying him someday?

Liliana laughed nervously.

If Sophia discovered the truth, she would probably faint. Or scream. Maybe both.

Sophia: Whoever marries Chris St. Claire must have saved the world in her previous life.

Liliana slowly typed.

Liliana: Maybe.

Sophia: I bet she’s gorgeous.

Liliana glanced at her reflection on the television.

Messy pigtails. Oversized glasses. Apron. And popcorn.

Nope. Definitely not gorgeous.

—————————————————-

The next morning.

Liliana arrived at Sterling Village Market carrying a basket.

The locals immediately greeted her.

"Good morning, Lily!"

"Morning!"

"Your tomatoes were delicious!"

"Thank you."

The village had always been peaceful. Everyone knew everyone. Nobody cared about celebrities. Nobody cared about wealth. Nobody cared about social status.

Life was simple. Which was exactly how Liliana liked it.

She stopped by a vegetable stall.

"Three kilos of potatoes, please."

"Of course."

The elderly vendor smiled. "Your husband is still working overseas?"

Liliana nodded. "Yes."

"He must be very busy."

"Very busy."

That was one way to describe performing for millions of people.

The old woman sighed. "You’re such a good wife."

Liliana blinked. "A good wife?"

"You never complain."

The vendor continued packing vegetables.

"My husband works in another province. I complain every day."

Liliana laughed. She honestly didn’t mind. Chris always made time for her despite his impossible schedule.

Some weeks they talked every day. Some weeks they exchanged dozens of messages. Whenever he had free time, he came home.

Even if only for a day. She had grown accustomed to it.

"Long-distance marriages are difficult," the old woman said.

"They can be."

"But yours seems strong."

Liliana smiled. "It is."

The answer came naturally. Without hesitation.

Because despite everything, she trusted Chris completely.

—————————————————

That afternoon, the headquarters of St. Claire Entertainment was in chaos.

Executives rushed through hallways. Managers answered nonstop phone calls. Assistants carried stacks of documents.

At the center of it all sat Chris.

A magazine had just released its annual list of the world’s most desirable bachelors. Once again, Chris ranked first.

His manager looked exhausted.

"Congratulations."

Chris didn’t even look up.

"Thank you."

"The internet is going insane."

Chris signed another document.

"Okay."

"Female celebrities are openly flirting with you online."

"Okay."

"Three actresses and two models confessed publicly this morning."

Chris finally looked up.

"Why?"

His manager stared.

"Because you’re Chris St. Claire."

That wasn’t an answer.

The manager rubbed his forehead. "Never mind."

Chris returned to reading when his phone vibrated.

Instantly, his attention shifted.

The manager watched in disbelief. The cold and indifferent superstar suddenly looked interested.

One text message. That was all it took.

Liliana: I harvested the tomatoes today.

Attached was a photo.

Chris stared at the image.

Liliana stood proudly beside several baskets of vegetables. There was dirt on her cheek. Her glasses were crooked and her smile was bright.

Chris saved the photo immediately.

The manager witnessed everything.

"Was that your wife?"

Chris froze.

The room became silent. Dangerously silent.

The manager immediately regretted speaking. Because Chris’s secret marriage was known only to a handful of people.

Fortunately, they had been friends for years.

Chris relaxed. "Yes."

The manager sighed in relief.

"You know, one day people are going to find out."

Chris looked at the photo again. His gaze softened.

"I know."

"What will you do when that happens?"

Chris didn’t answer immediately.

Outside the office windows, reporters crowded the street below.

Millions of fans around the world believed he belonged to them.

His career. His image. His reputation.

Everything depended on that illusion. Yet there was one thing more important.

One person. His wife.

Finally, he spoke. "I’ll protect her."

The manager smiled. "You really care about her."

Chris looked away.

Care? Was that what this was?

Then why did he always check his phone waiting for her messages?

Why did every hotel room feel empty without her?

Why did every achievement feel incomplete unless he shared it with her first?

Chris frowned slightly. Strange. Very strange.

Fortunately, he was too oblivious to realize the truth.

Far away in Sterling Village, Liliana was equally clueless.

Neither of them understood that the feelings they had carefully labeled as affection, responsibility, and friendship had long ago become something else.

Something deeper.

Something far more dangerous.

Love was quietly growing between them.

And sooner or later, neither of them would be able to ignore it anymore.