My Husband Is An International Idol

Chapter 77: Trip to France

Departure day finally arrived.

Unlike every previous world tour, there were no screaming fans outside the airport, no reporters chasing exclusive footage, and no livestreams following Pulse’s every move. The usually chaotic excitement surrounding the group’s overseas departures had been replaced by an unsettling silence.

Matthew St. Claire had personally ordered the operation.

After the stalking incident, the fire at St. Claire Entertainment, Carl De Vera’s disappearance, and the threats directed at Liliana, he refused to leave anything to chance. Until Carl was found, every movement of the St. Claire family and their artists would remain strictly confidential.

At four o’clock in the morning, several identical black luxury vans quietly departed from St. Claire Mansion under the escort of police motorcycles and private security vehicles. The convoy traveled together for several kilometers before splitting into three separate directions, each following a carefully planned route designed to confuse anyone attempting to follow them.

One convoy headed toward the public airport, another toward St. Claire Entertainment’s private hangar, while the last continued driving through several expressways as a decoy.

Robin glanced through the tinted window and chuckled.

"If someone’s trying to follow us this morning," he said with a grin, "they’re going to have a very confusing day."

Emily laughed softly.

"I almost got lost myself."

Nathan looked from one window to another before shaking his head dramatically.

"I think we’re following ourselves."

The tension inside the van eased as everyone laughed, grateful for even a brief moment of normalcy.

Inside another vehicle, however, the atmosphere was much quieter.

Chris sat beside Liliana, their hands intertwined between them. He absentmindedly traced gentle circles across the back of her hand, unaware that he had been doing it ever since they left the mansion.

Liliana looked at him with quiet concern.

"You’ve been awfully quiet."

Chris smiled, but the smile never quite reached his eyes.

"I’m thinking."

"About France?"

He nodded slowly.

"And about keeping you safe."

Liliana’s heart softened. She squeezed his hand, silently reassuring him.

"You’ve been saying that every day."

"I’ll keep saying it every day."

She rested her head gently against his shoulder, finding comfort in his warmth.

"I’m not afraid anymore."

Chris closed his eyes for a brief moment before kissing the top of her head.

"I still am."

Twenty minutes later, the convoy entered a heavily secured private terminal hidden from public view. Armed security officers guarded every entrance while airport personnel carefully verified each identity before allowing anyone through.

Matthew and Amanda were already waiting.

Matthew immediately began reviewing the final checklist with Robin.

"Passports?"

"Complete."

"Security clearance?"

"Verified."

"Luggage?"

"Already loaded."

"Bodyguards?"

"Twelve onboard."

Emily blinked in surprise.

"Twelve?"

Robin nodded proudly.

"We’re not taking chances."

River leaned toward Aaron and whispered,

"I think we’re safer than the President."

Aaron didn’t even hesitate.

"We probably are."

Laughter echoed through the terminal, drawing the first genuine smile from Matthew that morning.

Outside the enormous glass windows waited the aircraft that would carry them to France.

Nicole’s eyes widened.

"...We’re flying in that?"

Bathed in the golden light of sunrise, the pearl-white aircraft gleamed elegantly on the runway. The silver St. Claire emblem shimmered near the entrance while the engines hummed quietly, waiting for departure.

Nathan stared at it in complete disbelief.

"I think that plane is bigger than my apartment."

Emily instinctively reached for her phone.

"I need a picture."

Robin gently lowered her hand.

"After we land."

She pouted dramatically.

"You’re no fun."

One by one, they climbed aboard.

The Sterling cousins stopped in their tracks the moment they entered the cabin.

Instead of feeling like an airplane, it resembled a luxurious penthouse suspended in the sky. Cream-colored leather seats surrounded spacious lounges, polished wood accents reflected the morning sunlight streaming through panoramic windows, and fresh flowers decorated the elegant dining area. Toward the rear, private suites offered comfortable beds for the thirteen-hour journey.

Rose slowly turned in a circle.

"People actually travel like this?"

Nicole looked equally stunned.

"It feels like a hotel."

Emily smiled.

"A five-star hotel."

Warm smiles greeted them as the flight attendants welcomed everyone aboard and escorted them toward their assigned suites.

Nearby, Nathan leaned toward Nicolo.

"I’m never flying economy again."

Nicolo nodded with complete seriousness.

"I don’t think I physically can."

Chris laughed.

"You adapted pretty quickly."

While everyone admired the luxurious cabin, Liliana quietly stood beside one of the windows overlooking the runway.

France.

The word alone made her heart race.

It would be her first time leaving Aurelia, her first international campaign, and her first opportunity to represent one of the world’s most prestigious luxury brands.

Just months ago, she had believed her dreams had already ended.

Now they were only beginning.

Chris quietly joined her.

"Nervous?"

She smiled honestly.

"A little."

He wanted nothing more than to hold her hand, but the other members of Rhythm still knew nothing about their marriage. Instead, he simply stood beside her.

"So am I."

Liliana looked at him in surprise.

"You?"

Chris smiled.

"We’ll do well."

"As always."

She smiled back, feeling strangely reassured.

Soon, the captain’s calm voice echoed throughout the cabin.

"Good morning, everyone. This is Captain John speaking. Our flight to Paris will take approximately thirteen hours. Weather conditions are excellent, and we expect a smooth journey. Please prepare for departure."

Seatbelts clicked into place.

Outside, the aircraft slowly taxied toward the runway before accelerating with increasing speed. Liliana instinctively reached toward Chris beneath the armrest, and without hesitation, he intertwined his fingers with hers.

The engines roared.

The runway rushed past.

Then, with a gentle lift...

The ground disappeared beneath them.

Aurelia slowly shrank into the distance as clouds embraced the aircraft, welcoming them into an endless sea of blue.

Nathan gazed out the window in amazement.

"We’re really leaving."

Nicole smiled brightly.

"France..."

For Rhythm, this journey marked the beginning of their careers.

For Pulse, it was another opportunity to stand before the fans who had supported them around the world.

For Liliana...

It was the beginning of a dream she had once believed was impossible.

Chris quietly watched her admire the clouds outside the window.

A gentle smile formed on his lips.

Carefully hidden inside the inner pocket of his jacket was a small velvet box.

He lightly touched it, his heart beating a little faster.

No one knew.

Not even Liliana.

France wasn’t simply another stop on Pulse’s world tour.

It was where he planned to give her the proposal she had never received.

Their marriage had begun with obligation, witnessed only by a handful of people, without vows spoken from the heart or a celebration worthy of the woman he loved.

This time would be different.

Under the Paris sky, he would kneel before his wife, ask her to marry him again, and promise her the wedding—and the future—she had always deserved.