My Husband Is An International Idol

Chapter 40: No More Secrets

The press conference was finally over. And everyone was exhausted physically, mentally and emotionally.

Especially Robin. The manager looked as though he had aged ten years in a single afternoon.

"I need a vacation."

"You just came back from one," River pointed out.

"I need another one."

Nobody argued.

Back at the penthouse, everyone collapsed onto the sofas.

Nathan was lying flat on the carpet. Nicole and Nicolo were reading comments on her phone. Rose was doing the same.

Emily was proudly reading articles about herself. The new stylist of Pulse. Mary was already organizing tomorrow’s schedules.

Meanwhile, Pulse looked equally exhausted. Except Chris.

Because the moment he noticed Liliana walking toward the kitchen, he immediately followed. Naturally.

The Sterling cousins and other Pulse members noticed. Especially Robin

Nobody said anything.

The kitchen was quiet. A welcome contrast from the chaos of the living room.

Liliana opened the refrigerator.

"We should make dinner."

Chris nodded. "We should."

Neither moved. Both were tired.

Eventually, Liliana started gathering ingredients while Chris helped prepare vegetables. Or attempted to help.

For a few minutes, they worked in comfortable silence.

Then Chris suddenly spoke. "Do you regret it?"

Liliana looked up. "Regret what?"

His expression softened.

"The decision you made five years ago."

Silence filled the kitchen. Liliana immediately knew what he meant.

The marriage. The secret. The sacrifices. Everything.

Her answer came without hesitation. "No."

Chris stared at her.

She smiled gently. "I’ve never regretted it. Not once. Not even for a day."

Her eyes drifted toward the city lights beyond the glass windows.

"You know..." She laughed softly. "When I was younger, I really wanted to become an actress."

Chris smiled. He knew. Because he remembered every conversation. Every dream. Every plan. Every future she once imagined.

"I remember."

Liliana nodded. "I wanted to stand on stage.".She smiled. "I wanted to be on television." Another smile. "I wanted people to know my name."

Then her expression softened.

"But life changed."

Chris looked down. Because he knew exactly why.

Five years ago, Chris had just debuted.

Pulse was still unknown. Still struggling and fighting to survive in the industry.

Their marriage couldn’t be exposed. Not when everything was uncertain. One scandal could destroy years of work.

So Liliana made a choice. A choice nobody asked her to make. She stepped away from the spotlight. She buried her dream and protected his.

Chris still remembered that conversation.

The day she smiled and told him she was happy staying in Sterling Village. Even though he knew part of her wasn’t.

"I’m sorry."

The words escaped before he could stop them.

Liliana immediately shook her head. "Don’t."

"But—"

"Chris." Her voice was firm. "You didn’t force me."

He fell silent.

"I chose it."

And that was true. Every sacrifice and decision, she chose them willingly.

Because she loved him.

Liliana laughed suddenly. "You know what’s funny?"

"What?"

"The reason I left the entertainment industry before I even entered it..." She pointed toward herself. "...is the same reason I’m entering it now."

Chris laughed. Because she was right.

Five years ago, they hid her to protect Pulse. Now she was standing in the spotlight because of Pulse.

Life was strange.

Neither noticed someone standing outside the kitchen. Watching. Listening.

Leo.

The leader of Pulse finally sighed before walking inside.

Both Chris and Liliana froze.

"Leo."

"Chris."

Silence. The atmosphere immediately became awkward.

Leo crossed his arms. "I want the truth."

Chris closed his eyes. Of course this was happening.

"I’ve been patient."

Leo pointed toward both of them. "Very patient."

Neither spoke.

"I ignored the way you look at each other."

Still silence.

"I ignored the villa."

More silence.

"I ignored you entering her room."

Chris sighed.

Leo continued.

"I ignored the fact that both of you act like you’ve known each other your entire lives."

Liliana slowly looked away.

Then Leo asked the question directly without hesitation.

"What exactly is your relationship?"

Complete silence filled the kitchen. For several seconds nobody spoke.

Then Chris looked toward Liliana. Liliana glanced toward Chris.

And both realized something. The secret couldn’t remain hidden forever. Not anymore.

Chris exhaled slowly. Then answered.

"She’s my wife."

Leo nodded. Then froze. Then stared at them back and forth.

"What?"

"She’s my wife."

The leader of Pulse looked completely broken.

"WHAT?" His voice echoed throughout the kitchen.

Chris rubbed his forehead. "We’ve been married for five years."

Silence. Leo stopped functioning entirely.

Five seconds passed.

Ten. Fifteen.

Then, "FIVE YEARS?!"

The second shout was louder. Very much louder.

Leo sat down immediately. Because his legs suddenly felt unreliable.

Five whole years..And Chris had been married the entire time.

Meanwhile the public thought he was single. They thought he was single. The company thought he was secretly in love with Liliana. But not the chairman of course. He definitely knew.

That Chris had been married to Liliana the entire time.

"You didn’t trust us?"

The question surprised Chris. Because Leo sounded hurt.

Not angry. Hurt.

Chris immediately shook his head. "No."

"Then why?" Leo looked genuinely confused. "We’re your family."

The words hit harder than expected. Because Leo was right. Pulse wasn’t just a group. They were family.

Chris looked down. "I was trying to protect everyone."

Leo sighed. Then laughed.

A tired laugh. "You’re an idiot."

Chris nodded. "Probably."

"Definitely."

Liliana laughed softly.

Leo eventually stood. "Tell them."

Chris blinked. "What?"

"Aaron and River."

The leader smiled. "They deserve to know too."

Chris looked toward Liliana. She nodded.

He smiled. Then took her hand without hesitation. Without fear. Without hiding for the first time.

Together they walked into the living room. Immediately everyone looked up.

The Sterling cousins became nervous. Because they recognized that expression.

The expression that meant something important was about to happen.

Aaron frowned while River looked confused. Robin immediately sensed danger when they saw Chris and Liliana holding hands.

Chris stood in the center of the room with Liliana, never letting go of her hand.

Then he spoke. "I need to tell you something."

Aaron looked suspicious. River looked curious but the cousins looked relieved.

Because finally, they wouldn’t need to hide anymore.

Chris took a deep breath. Then smiled.

"Liliana is my wife."

Silence.

Aaron and River blinked. Robin closed his eyes. The cousins collectively sighed in relief.

And then, the penthouse exploded.

"WHAT?!"

The scream could probably be heard from another building.

For the first time in five years, the truth was finally spoken aloud. Not to the public, but at least to the people closest to Chris.

And somehow, it felt like everyone could finally breathe.