## Author’s Note
“Truth is a dangerous game, especially when your heart is a fortress under siege. Tonight, the boundaries between family, friendship, and unspoken desire are about to collapse. As the steam rises from the hot pot and the wine pulls back the curtain on hidden sorrows, Habiba finds herself trapped in a room with the only two people who know her truth. But one question, one spin, and one impulsive moment will shatter the peace she fought so hard to build. Brace yourself—the truth is about to cut deeper than any blade.”
## Chapter 9: Truths In The Dark
The morning after their “Girls’ Day Out,” the fragile silence in Habiba’s apartment was short-lived.
Lin Sheng and Han arrived together—an unexpected, jarring sight that felt like a quiet, desperate act of solidarity.
They moved into her space with a familiar rhythm.
To Habiba, they were family—the one anchor she had left in a world that felt like it was constantly trying to sweep her away.
Han, specifically, carried himself with a protective, brotherly warmth, his eyes radiating a deep, selfless concern that sought to heal the invisible bruises on her spirit.
“Most of the comments are turning positive,” Han said, his voice a low, steady hum of reassurance.
“They want to believe the rivalry is ending. They’re hoping for a bridge.”
Habiba felt hollow.
The weight of her past—the sharp, jagged memories of a love that had once nearly destroyed her, her husband’s infidelity, and lies—made it impossible to look toward a future.
She had no appetite to eat; the sorrow sat like a lead weight in her stomach, a constant, cold reminder of why she built her walls so high.
But Lin Sheng wouldn’t allow her the luxury of retreat.
He stepped into her space, his presence an absolute command.
“Stop worrying over nothing, Habiba. You need to eat.”
They took over her kitchen, and soon, the apartment was filled with the savory, deeply comforting aroma of their favorite beef hot pot.
It was a scene of domestic warmth, a brief, beautiful illusion of safety.
As the alcohol began to flow and the heavy, suffocating atmosphere finally began to lift, Han suggested a game: Truth or Dare.
The first spin landed on Han.
Habiba didn’t hesitate.
She wanted to pierce the armor he wore so effortlessly.
“Truth or Dare, Han?”
“Truth,” he said, meeting her gaze with a soft, steady intensity.
“The public says you’re afraid of women. Why don’t you have a girlfriend?”
“I’m not afraid, Habiba. I’m just busy—schedules, projects, and the rare moment I find to race cars, hike, or skate. I spend time for myself. But mostly? I just haven’t found the right person. Who could make my heart founder?”
The second spin pointed to Lin Sheng.
Zhou Han leaned back, a smirk playing on his lips.
“Biba, ask him.”
“Sheng, Truth or Dare?” Habiba asked.
“Truth,” Lin Sheng replied, his eyes feeling heavier, more clouded, that usual.
“The media says you had a high school sweetheart, but it ended. Why are you still alone?”
Lin Sheng looked at Habiba, his expression unreadable, a mask of polished stone hiding a reservoir of suppressed agony.
“I was busy building a life, yes. But like Han said, I hadn’t found the one who made my heart founder. Until now,” he added, his voice slipping an octave, wrapping around the room like smoke.
“I’ve found her.”
The room went deathly still.
Habiba wanted to ask who, but Zhou Han intervened.
“Habiba!
Come on, too many questions in one spin,” laughing off the tension and pushing the bottle “Spin again, Biba.”
The bottle stopped at Habiba.
Zhou Han leaned forward, his face serious, his eyes searching hers for the pain she tried so hard to bury.
“Your turn. Truth or Dare.”
“Truth.”
“If someone came into your life right now, truly in love with you—would you be able to love him back? Or have you built those walls too high to ever fall in love again?”
Zhou Han; know how much Lin Sheng is deeply in love with Habiba, that’s why is asking this question.
Habiba looked at the two of them, then at her own trembling hands.
The weight of the question felt like a physical pressure against her chest.
“In life, I’ve learned never to say never.
Our life are ‘in God’s hands.’ So, I don’t know the future.
Honestly, I don’t know.
But if you’re asking me right now as in Present not Future then NO New chapters come out on g.com first.
“I will not be able to love him back, I don’t believe in love, anymore.”
The air grew heavy, thick with the scent of spices and the electric hum of spoken truths.
They spun the bottle one last time.
It landed on Lin Sheng.
“Ask him, Biba!” Han urged.
Habiba took a breath, turning to Lin Sheng.
“You said you found the one, who is She?”
Lin Sheng was clearly intoxicated, his movements a little bit loose; his eyes fixed on Habiba.
With a dangerous, predatory intensity.
He rambled for a second , then blurted out, “It is You.”
Habiba brushed it off, trying to keep her voice steady.
“Stop joking around, Sheng. Who is she?”
“It’s you,” he insisted, standing up, and closing the distance between them.
Before she could move, he grabbed her, his lips crashing against hers.
The kiss was deep, intense, and desperate—a sudden, jarring lost of control that sent a jolt of alarm through a loss of control that sent a jolt of alarm through Habiba’s entire body.
They tumbled back onto the sofa, the world narrow, falling down to the weight of him against her, over his shoulder.
Habiba saw Zhou Han standing there, frozen—watching them, his expression a fractured mosaic of shock and heartache.
He felt for Lin Sheng, what he is going through, hiding his love for Habiba.
“Why are you just watching?” Habiba gasped, breathless as Lin’s lips trailed down the curve of her neck, sending cold shivers of panic through her veins.
“Take him away, can’t you see he’s drunk!”
Han finally moved, his face tight, his hands firm as he pulled Lin Sheng off her.
As he guided him towards the bedroom, Habiba lay on the sofa, her heart hammering against her ribs, the silence of the room returning.
But this time, it was filled with the scorching, unbearable heat of the truth they had just discovered.
## Author’s Note
“The game of truth has shattered the only sanctuary Habiba had left. A single, desperate kiss from Lin Sheng has torn away the veil of friendship, leaving behind raw nerves and burning questions. As Lin retreats into the shadows of the bedroom, clutching a secret that is physically tearing him apart. Habiba is left in the silence—furious, betrayed, and more determined than ever to uncover the lie she knows is festering between them. The mask is slipping, and the truth is about to be forced into the light. Turn to the next chapter witness the collision of hidden agony and hardened resolve.”
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