My Husband Is An International Idol

Liliana smiled as the cool European breeze brushed against her face. The courtyard behind the photography studio was peaceful. Colorful flowers lined the stone pathway. A small fountain trickled softly in the center.

For the first time that day, everything felt quiet. The photoshoot had gone smoothly. Emily had fussed over her hair. Mary had reminded her about the afternoon schedule. Everything seemed normal.

Chris had promised that morning with a smile.

"I’ll pick you up after work."

The thought made her smile to herself.

Europe truly was beautiful.

Then—

"Lily?"

Her smile disappeared.

That voice...

She slowly turned around.

Standing several meters away was a man wearing thick black glasses..His black hair was neatly combed. He wore a thick brown jacket despite the warm afternoon. His shoulders looked broader. His build was heavier.

If she had passed him on the street, she never would have recognized him.

For several seconds, she simply stared. Then recognition slowly surfaced.

"...Harry?"

The man smiled.

"You remembered."

Liliana blinked in surprise.

"Harry Finn?"

He nodded.

"It’s been a long time."

She laughed softly.

"Oh my goodness. I almost didn’t recognize you."

Harry adjusted his glasses.

"I’ve changed."

"You really have."

She looked him over.

"You used to be..."

She hesitated.

Harry laughed before she could finish.

"Chubby?"

Liliana laughed too.

"You said it."

"I know. It’s alright."

He smiled warmly.

"I actually gained some weight again."

Liliana shook her head, smiling.

"I can’t believe you’re here. What are you doing in Germany?"

Harry lifted the camera hanging around his neck.

"I moved around Europe after graduation. I became a photographer. I cover fashion events."

Liliana nodded.

"That explains everything."

She looked genuinely happy to meet someone from home.

"How have you been?"

Harry answered quietly.

"Good. I’ve been watching your career. You’ve done amazingly."

Liliana scratched her cheek shyly.

"I’m still getting used to everything."

"I know. You’ve always been humble."

She smiled.

"You still remember that?"

Harry looked at her for a long moment.

"I remember..."

He paused.

"...almost everything."

She laughed lightly, unaware of the weight behind those words.

"What about everyone back in Sterling Village?"

Harry asked.

"How’s Grandma Lucia?"

Liliana’s face brightened.

"She’s healthy. Still taking care of everyone."

Harry nodded.

"I figured."

His gaze slowly lowered to her left hand. The wedding ring sparkled beneath the afternoon sun.

"And..." He looked at her left hand. "You’re married?"

Liliana instinctively looked at her wedding ring. She forgot to remove it again.

She smiled. "Oh no! This is just an accessory. I’m used to wearing this ring."

"I see. I thought you’re married." He paused.

"But I heard Chris St. Claire confessed the other day. It was on the news and all over social media."

"Oh, that! Yes. I think everyone saw that." She simply answered with a smile.

Harry’s smile never disappeared. Yet something about his eyes made the warmth disappear. They remained strangely still.

Watching. Studying.

Almost as though he had waited years just to see that ring.

Liliana felt a faint chill, but perhaps she was imagining it.

Harry reached into the side pocket of his camera bag.

"I bought this earlier."

He held out a chilled bottle of fruit tea.

"You always liked peach."

Liliana looked surprised.

"You remembered?"

Harry smiled.

"Of course."

She accepted it politely.

"Thank you."

The cold drink was refreshing after the long photoshoot. She unscrewed the cap.

The conversation continued naturally.

They talked about school.

About old teachers. About Sterling Village. About classmates she hadn’t seen in years.

Without thinking much about it, Liliana finished the bottle.

Harry quietly watched every swallow. His smile never changed.

Several minutes later, Liliana looked toward the studio entrance.

"I should head back. Mary’s probably looking for me."

She took one step. Then another.

Suddenly, the ground seemed to shift beneath her feet.

She frowned.

"...That’s strange."

Harry remained silent.

Her vision blurred. She blinked repeatedly.

"Why..."

She reached for the nearby stone bench.

"My head..."

Her heartbeat became unusually slow. The flowers around her seemed to spin. The sunlight grew painfully bright.

She turned toward Harry.

"...Harry..."

"What..."

Her knees gave way. She tried to steady herself. Nothing obeyed. Her arms felt impossibly heavy.

She looked at Harry again.

This time, his smile was different. Not friendly. Not warm.

But it was patient. Satisfied. Almost relieved.

Fear crept into her chest.

"H...Harry..."

She wanted to run. She couldn’t. She wanted to scream but her lips barely moved.

The last thing she saw before darkness claimed her, was Harry kneeling beside her, carefully brushing a loose strand of hair away from her face. As though handling something precious.

Then...

Everything disappeared.

Silence. Dead silence.

Liliana slowly regained consciousness. Her eyelids felt unbearably heavy. Her head throbbed.

The air smelled damp. Old wood. Dust.

She blinked. Darkness greeted her. Only a weak beam of light slipped through a tiny window high above.

Confused, she tried to sit up.

Her wrists wouldn’t move. She froze. She pulled harder. But the rope tightened painfully around her hands.

Her breathing quickened.

"No..."

She looked down. Both wrists were securely bound. Her ankles were tied together as well.

A wave of panic crashed over her. She struggled instinctively. The ropes only dug deeper into her skin.

Her heartbeat pounded inside her ears.

"Help..."

Her voice came out hoarse. Almost inaudible.

"Is..."

"Anyone..."

"Please..."

Only silence answered. She forced herself to look around. The room was unfamiliar.

Rough wooden walls. An old metal bed. A single chair. A locked door. No windows large enough to escape. No sounds from outside. Only the faint creaking of old timber.

Her breathing became uneven.

This wasn’t Germany.

Or at least...

It didn’t feel like the elegant city she had been in only hours earlier.

Memories rushed back. The courtyard. Then she remembered Harry giving her a drink before she felt dizzy.

Her eyes widened.

"No..."

Tears filled her eyes.

"Chris..."

She whispered. He was supposed to pick her up. Mary would be looking for her. Emily would surely panic.

Grandmother... Everyone...

Her chest tightened as reality settled over her. She wasn’t lost. She had been taken.

Footsteps echoed somewhere beyond the door.

Slow. Measured. Approaching.

Liliana instinctively backed away until her shoulders touched the cold wall. Her bound hands trembled uncontrollably.

The doorknob slowly turned.

She held her breath.

For the first time in her life, Liliana truly understood what terror felt like.

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