The glowing screen of Habiba’s phone illuminated the dim room.
She could hardly believe her eyes.
Her short video clip hadn’t just been viewed—it had landed directly on the desks of two of the biggest entertainment agencies in China.
At the flagship agency representing Lin Sheng the executives were buzzing.
“This girl has raw, unpolished potential,” the directors noted, watching Habiba’s expression.
“If we bring her in and train her from the ground up, she could become a massive star. We cannot lose her to the competition.”
Before Habiba could even process the email notification her phone rang.
It was an international video call.
She answered, and her breath caught; looking back at her was Lin Sheng himself.
“Hello, Habiba,” Sheng said, his voice warm and instantly grounding.
He smiled, a genuine crinkle forming around his eyes.
“I saw your video. You have a very special spark. My agency wants to bring you to China to train and work with us.”
Habiba felt a wave of anxiety.
“…I am honored, Lin Sheng. Truly. But I am married and honestly, my financial situation right now isn’t the best. Traveling to China is a massive expense I can’t afford right now.”
Sheng’s expression softened, his eyes locked onto hers through the camera.
“Do not worry about the money, Habiba. If you say yes, our agency will take care of everything, we will fly you out. Just give us the word.”
As they kept talking the heavy corporate atmosphere completely melted away.
Even though he was a superstar, talking to Lin Sheng felt as easy as breathing.
They laughed, shared stories, and drifted completely away from business into personal lives, chatting like old friend.
Deep down, Seeing her humility and fierce spirit, Sheng felt a sudden, unmistakable spark—love at first sight.
By the time they hung up, Habiba promised she would deeply consider his offer.
Meanwhile, the rival agency representing Zhou Han had found out that Lin Sheng’s team had already made direct contact.
Panic ensued.
They called Zhou Han into office.
“Lin Sheng has already spoken to her first and she is leaning towards his agency. Zhou Han You need to call her yourself on our roster”,
Zhou Han took the phone and dialed Habiba.
When she answered, she sighed gently.
“Zhou Han? I’m honored you’re calling, but I have to be honest… Lin Sheng called me first, and his offer was amazing. I am already seriously considering his agency’s offer.”
Zhou Han didn’t press her with a hard sales pitch.
Instead, he flashed a comforting, brilliant smile.
“I understand. But let’s just talk first, okay?”
Just like with Lin Sheng, the conversation took a natural, effortless flow.
There was an instant comfort between them, as if their souls had known each other for a lifetime.
Zhou Han found himself completely charmed by her.
“Honestly, Habiba,” Zhou Han said softly, his voice full of sincerity.
“If you choose Lin Sheng’s agency, go with an open heart. He is a good man. He will protect you!”
Habiba hesitated, confusion clouding her face.
“Can I ask you something? The internet… the media… they say you and Lin Sheng are like rivals. Because of a massive fan war and past scandals, the public thinks you two can’t stand each other. Some say you’re enemies, some guess you’re secretly friends. Why are you telling me to trust his agency?”
Zhou Han laughed softly, a beautiful, guarded secret warming his eyes.
“People see what the media wants them to see. The truth belongs only to us. Lin Sheng and I… we aren’t in bad terms at all. In fact, we aren’t just friends. We are brothers. We meet secretly, we care for each other, and we support one another through everything. The world doesn’t need to know, but you can know.”
To prove it, Zhou Han pulled out another phone and video-called Lin Sheng right then and there, patching him into a three-way call.
Lin Sheng’s face popped up on Zhou Han’s screen.
“Look who I’m talking to,” Zhou Han teased, showing Habiba to Lin Sheng.
“look how close we’ve become already!”
Lin Sheng looked at the screen, a flash of protective jealousy crossing his features before he masked it with a smirk.
“Oh really, Zhou Han? Are you trying to steal my talent?”
Zhou Han laughed.
“No, no. I told her we should treat her like a sister. Right, Lin Sheng? We can both protect our sister.”
Lin Sheng paused, his eyes lingering on Habiba’s face through the screen.
His heart heavy with the secret love he had just developed for her.
The word sister tasted bittersweet on his tongue.
But to keep the peace, he forced a smile.
“Yeah. Of course. A sister.”
The call ended, leaving Habiba’s head spinning.
But reality came crashing down the moment she faced her husband.
Taking a deep breath, she approached him.
“I received a life-changing call today. Two major agencies in China want me to go over and work as an actress and a writer. They are willing to sponsor everything.”
Her husband’s face immediately darkened into a scowl.
“An actress? Absolutely not. I will never allow it.”
“Why?” Habiba pleaded, “this is my dream! I can write I can create…. it is not moral,” he interrupted harshly.
“These actors and actress throw themselves into romance roles, kissing different men project after project. Our religion, our Deen, does not allow such shamelessness!”
Habiba snapped.
“There are plenty of muslim actors and actresses. Some are in marriages and they manage their careers with respect and boundaries! This is about my talent!”
“If you choose to go,” her husband stated coldly, crossing his arms, “then you choose to leave this marriage. I will divorce you. You will no longer be my wife.”
The word divorce echoed in the room, but instead of breaking her, it triggered a memory that made Habiba’s blood run cold.
She looked at him, seeing the hypocrisy clearly.
This was the same man who had cheated on her.
And not just with anyone—he had cheated on her with but her close friend.
The woman she used to trust.
“He cheated on me with my own friend,” Habiba thought, anger flaring in her chest.
“He broke our vows, broke my trust and expected me to sit here, forget my dreams and forgive him? And now he lectures me about morality?”
She straightened her spine, her voice steady and resolute.
“If it’s a divorce you want over me pursuing my life, then so be it.”
Fortunately, Habiba wasn’t completely empty-handed.
Thanks to her loyal readers on Wattpad, her stories had started earning her some steady, independent money.
It wasn’t a fortune, but it was enough for a clean break.
“I am taking the children to visit my family,” she announced coldly, not wanting a final showdown in front of the kids.
She packed their bags, took her daughter her son, and left the house, travelling back home to her mother’s peaceful place.
For two days, she rested.
Surrounded by the unconditional love of her family, letting the fresh air heal her spirit and clear her mind.
She was no longer a victim of her husband’s hypocrisy.
She was a woman in control of her destiny.
After two days of quiet reflection, Habiba made a firm decision.
She wasn’t going back to her husband.
She decided to leave her children safely there with their grandmother, who would take wonderful care of them.
Habiba’s plan was clear: She would go ahead, establish her career in China, send money back home regularly, and once she was completely settled and successful, she would return to Kenya to bring her children to China so they could study and live there with her.
With her mind made up, she left her mother’s place and traveled back down to Mombasa.
The coastal breeze welcome her as she immediately found and rented a room of her own to live alone for a while.
Once she was settled in her newly rented room, she sat down and made the call she had been anticipating.
She dialed Lin Sheng.
“Lin Sheng,” Habiba said, her voice steady and full of resolve.
“I’m ready. I accept your offer.”
On the other end of the line, Lin Sheng’s voice filled with pure excitement and relief.
“I am so happy to hear that, Habiba. Wait for me right here. I am coming to Kenya to pick you up my self.”
True to his words, Lin Sheng made arrangements immediately.
Within days, he landed in Kenya.
Habiba went to meet him, guiding him through the Coastal City and helping him check into a beautiful, secure Airbnb hotel overlooking the stunning Ocean view, they spent hours talking, the effortless chemistry from their video call translating beautiful into real life.
But the story was only getting started.
The very next day a knock came at the door.
Zhou Han had just just arrived…..