My Husband Is An International Idol

Chapter 100: The Dating Allegation

The photographs spread across the internet before sunrise.

One by one, entertainment websites replaced their front-page headlines with the same exclusive story.

INTERNATIONAL IDOL CHRIS ST. CLAIRE SPOTTED ON A MIDNIGHT DATE WITH LILIANA STERLING IN PARIS.

Another outlet published a different angle.

CHRIS ST. CLAIRE AND LILIANA STERLING SEEN HOLDING HANDS AFTER PRIVATE DINNER.

Then another.

DATING RUMORS SURROUND THE COUNTRY’S MOST TALKED-ABOUT PAIR.

Within an hour, every major news network had picked up the story.

Social media erupted once again. Some fans celebrated. Others argued.

Many claimed the photographs finally confirmed what they had suspected.

"They’re definitely dating."

"Nobody looks at a friend like that."

"Didn’t Chris already confess?"

"I knew it! They just haven’t announced it yet."

By breakfast, the hashtag #ChrisAndLiliana had climbed to the top of worldwide trends.

Inside the luxury hotel in Paris, however, the atmosphere remained surprisingly calm.

Matthew St. Claire quietly placed his tablet on the dining table.

The front page displayed the photographs taken outside the restaurant.

Chris opening the door for Liliana.

The two laughing together beneath the Parisian streetlights.

Their fingers naturally intertwined as they walked toward the waiting car.

Matthew slowly looked at his son.

"So..."

Chris already knew what was coming.

"I know. I was careless."

He lowered his head without making excuses.

"I’m sorry."

Amanda studied the photographs before smiling faintly.

"They’re beautiful pictures."

Emily blinked.

"Aunt Amanda..."

Amanda shrugged lightly.

"They don’t look staged. They look happy."

Chris glanced toward Liliana but she quietly avoided his eyes, embarrassed by the attention.

Matthew folded his hands together.

"I’m not asking whether you’re happy. I’m asking what your plan is."

Silence settled over the dining room. Robin closed his laptop and waited while Mary set aside today’s schedule. Even Pulse stopped eating.

Everyone understood how important this conversation was.

Chris spoke first.

"We won’t confirm the rumors."

Nathan frowned slightly.

"And you won’t deny them either?"

Chris nodded.

"No."

He looked toward Matthew.

"If we deny it, people will accuse us of lying the next time we’re photographed together."

"If we confirm it..."

He paused.

"...everyone will start asking questions we’re not ready to answer."

Matthew slowly nodded.

"A reasonable assessment."

Amanda turned toward Liliana.

"What do you think? Do you agree with Chris?"

Liliana carefully chose her words before answering.

"It was my decision to continue to hide our marriage. I was reckless."

Everyone looked at her.

She smiled gently.

"But since it has come to this, I agree with Chris. The public has always been curious about Chris and me. If they want to believe we’re dating..."

She shrugged softly.

"...then let them."

Emily tilted her head.

"You’re surprisingly calm."

Liliana laughed quietly.

"I’ve been thinking about what you asked me. If people find out about the marriage, it would ruin us. So I think giving them a hint about our life behind the cameras would lessen their anger when they finally knew the truth."

She looked at the photographs once more.

"Besides, the rumors aren’t completely wrong."

Chris couldn’t help smiling.

Matthew noticed immediately.

"So, I think it’s settled. We’re allowing the dating rumors to continue."

Chris nodded.

"We won’t encourage them. But we won’t stop them either."

Robin quickly typed several notes.

"I’ll instruct the public relations department. No confirmation. No denial. No interviews regarding your relationship."

Mary added another point.

"If reporters ask during events, we redirect the conversation to work."

Matthew looked around the table.

"Any objections?"

No one answered.

Nathan leaned back in his chair.

"I honestly think this is better."

River nodded enthusiastically.

"The public already believes you’re in love."

Leo smiled.

"And after yesterday’s photographs, they’re even more convinced."

Aaron quietly added,

"You don’t have to pretend you’re strangers anymore."

Chris looked toward Liliana again.

"I don’t want to hide from you."

Her heart skipped a beat.

For years, he had worried about protecting his career. Now, his first concern was protecting her.

Liliana smiled warmly.

"I know."

Amanda watched the two with obvious satisfaction.

"They’ve come a long way."

Matthew chuckled.

"They certainly have."

Emily suddenly crossed her arms.

"I have one condition."

Everyone looked at her.

"If you’re going to keep getting photographed..."

She pointed directly at Chris.

"...at least stop sneaking out after midnight wearing that terrible hoodie."

Chris looked genuinely offended.

"I like that hoodie."

"It’s ugly."

"It was comfortable."

"It was recognizable."

Nathan burst into laughter.

"I can’t believe this is what we’re arguing about."

Even Robin laughed. The heavy atmosphere finally eased. For the first time since arriving in France, the breakfast table felt relaxed again.

After the meal ended, everyone began preparing for another packed day of rehearsals and meetings.

Pulse had only a few days left before their concert.

Rhythm still needed countless hours of practice before making their first appearance on an international stage.

Luxury brands continued requesting meetings.

Fashion houses adjusted schedules.

Reporters waited outside every venue.

The world had become even more interested in Chris and Liliana.

As everyone stood to leave, Matthew quietly stopped the couple.

"One last thing."

Chris and Liliana turned toward him.

Matthew smiled knowingly.

"The rumors may continue. The headlines may become louder. The cameras will never stop."

He looked at both of them with fatherly warmth.

"But remember this." He paused. "As long as the two of you continue trusting each other, the opinions of strangers won’t matter."

Chris reached for Liliana’s hand beneath the table.

This time, she didn’t hesitate. She intertwined her fingers with his.

No cameras were there to capture the moment. No reporters witnessed it.

It was a simple gesture. Private. Quiet.

A silent promise between a husband and wife who had spent years hiding their love.

Outside the hotel, photographers continued waiting for another glimpse of the country’s most talked-about pair.

Inside, Chris and Liliana walked toward the elevators side by side.

Neither of them knew what tomorrow’s headlines would say.

For once, they decided it didn’t matter.

Whatever the world chose to believe, they would face it together.