The house was dark when Imran stepped in, save for the dim kitchen light that always stayed on when someone was expected late. He loosened his tie as he moved through the quiet, his jacket already slung over his arm, the weight of the evening pressing into his shoulders like an old friend.70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJWlfuK9Xin
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He had barely walked through the door after the site visit with Ayub when his father called him in to review a stack of new contract proposals. What should have taken an hour turned into four.70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0JW5WGthK8
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Now, it was well past midnight. His stomach growled.70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9SW9jwnzRT
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He opened the fridge and groaned.70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQWPR1SkoMo
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Half a serving of roasted potatoes. A spoonful of lamb. Maybe two zucchini slices if he was being generous.70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhOqDC3qTPW
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“Really, Lamija?” he muttered. “You left me diplomatic scraps.”70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJw6yoHftEt
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He pulled out what little was left and made it work—microwaving the plate while grabbing a bottle of water. It wasn’t a meal. It was survival.70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPpp2AyDd44
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As he ate standing at the counter, his thoughts drifted.70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡItEH2lmLcs
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Selma.70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3A3DTh5oD0
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She hadn’t said much in Lamija’s office that morning—just a polite nod and a quiet smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. That had been enough to make her cross his mind for the rest of the day.70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHdChuZn3UU
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And now there was the matter of telling his mother.70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1x27M4vl30
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How did he explain that the woman he wanted was married one and already had a son? That he didn’t care—not even a little—but that he wasn’t sure how it would be received?70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTjIuYPYxge
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He didn’t want permission.70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhthx7kG5z8
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But he also didn’t want silence.
His mother loved Selma—but would that change if she knew Imran did too?70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWdMdymL9Rd
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He finished his food and rinsed the plate, placing it gently in the dishwasher before grabbing a hoodie off the back of the chair. As he headed out of the kitchen, a sharp whinny sliced through the quiet.70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyh8A4IPs6z
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Caesar.70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuwz8VUR5m0
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The sound tugged at him—equal parts thunder and invitation.70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpfysrQvixL
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He stepped back into the kitchen and outside onto the patio.70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNFFc2eoAHH
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The air was cool and still, heavy with the scent of dew and pine. The night sky stretched endlessly above him, dark and glittering. The gravel crunched under his dress shoes as he walked the stone path to the stables.70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMefsO68xnv
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In the ring, under the low golden wash of floodlights, Lamija and Caesar moved like they were born from the same force.70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXEHUVVAzIz
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She rode him with utter control—no fear, no hesitation. Her posture perfect. Her arms steady. Her face focused.70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEFKkSDfuPg
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Caesar was a storm wrapped in leather and muscle. His black coat glistened like oil beneath the lights, every motion rippling through him like a wave. His hooves struck the ground with purpose, and every leap over the training poles was clean and commanding.70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ922HTNFmwf
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They were a sight.70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ocqLSnVfS
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Imran leaned against the fence, arms crossed, the corners of his mouth tipping upward.70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡubW7kA96UV
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“Would’ve been nice if you left me more than three potatoes,” he called.70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCwMpae3CGe
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Lamija’s laugh rang out across the ring. “You came home late. That’s the tax.”70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx2EuoauE8f
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“You eat like royalty and leave your big brother starving. That feels personal.”70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7qG2uLK25S
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She slowed Caesar into a wide circle. “I regret nothing.”70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3KyLshYZQJ
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“How was the meeting?” he asked.70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPlujJ7NFDT
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Her smile faded into something exasperated. “Called our airport quaint and tried to explain logistics to me like I hadn’t been running international routes since I was twenty.”70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnAthX32OEM
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“He’s the one Babo wants?”70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6I5fsQRgC1
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“Apparently. You know how he is. Sees an investment portfolio and forgets common sense.”70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiJ17UPUFZD
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Imran chuckled. “That’s our father.”70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0YLPKKAc25
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“I told him we’d follow up. Politely.”70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlEdX5dGaQf
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Imran leaned further into the fence. “Adil called me.”70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1pfwxwxjDi
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Lamija groaned audibly. “What now?”70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg1xsLJT9eN
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“He said Nedim saw the link you sent me on instagram—the Solène purse. The one you so subtly captioned ‘buy me.’”70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAYwTEuyAnd
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Lamija grinned despite herself. “Subtlety is a lost art.”70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhCQlQEDhSo
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“I already bought it. For Eid. Don’t get cocky.”70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH9gyd12qAr
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“I’m just saying—you understood the assignment.”70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoxhIjjgxvO
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Imran smirked. “Nedim wanted to buy it for you. Said it was a way to get his foot into the door. As a peace offering.”70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt2SRpccLhU
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Lamija’s expression turned icy. “Did you tell him where to shove it?”70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLAAABqb0MI
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“I may have used slightly more colorful language.. If Babo ever heard him talk like that—”70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQJLpA94QLd
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“He’d light their offices on fire.”70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡedax8cAfTU
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“And I’d hand him the match.”70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQErQoZ30Zv
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They shared a moment of wordless understanding.70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmBhPL8ES3c
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Caesar snorted, stomping one foot in disapproval of the break.70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaQ6reZc0N3
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Imran scratched his neck. “So... Ayub?”70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR729NQ5RXb
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Lamija exhaled. “Everyone’s worried I’ll break him. Mama. You. Everyone.”70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡketoHlQKzV
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“He’s been through a lot. That doesn’t mean he’s fragile—but he’s not someone you test just to feel something.”70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3zPuekotwx
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“I’m not heartless.”70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Hbx0GjAGV
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“I know. But you’re curious. And with someone like Ayub, that’s not a neutral emotion.”70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1BFPx4EA16
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Lamija fell quiet, guiding Caesar into another slow pass.70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvMAjjAV3j0
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“I don’t want to feel guilty for not feeling the same,” she admitted.70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEVISMW3W60
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“You shouldn’t. You owe no one your affection.”70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ8i6zAMcur
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“Even if he’s... Ayub?”70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ15LjqkrqOd
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“Even then.”70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLhknuJ9Xpx
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They stood in silence again as Caesar moved. The horse had slowed, sensing the shift in energy, his muscles stretching through the curve.70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡemPWPSws14
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“Still chasing Selma?” Lamija asked after a long beat.70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJJoBEsaCBZ
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Imran smiled, soft and firm. “I want her, Lamija.”70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBlIaEEDq6Y
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“I don’t think she’s ready.”70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVtD8nUq2AF
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“I can wait.”70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEe8b5uLxOl
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Caesar snorted—loud and unamused. He stamped again, this time closer to the fence, and tossed his head like he’d been excluded from the conversation too long.70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKYitxPyRsn
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Lamija laughed. “He thinks you’ve had enough of my attention.”70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHFw3VF13nh
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Imran reached over the fence to scratch Caesar behind the ear. The stallion flared his nostrils, huffed, and—shockingly—leaned into it.70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK7E6UcM0kh
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“See?” Imran said smugly. “We’re building trust.”70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYnj6Y5hohC
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Lamija rolled her eyes. “Don’t let it go to your head.”70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY1iHPk5BoK
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“I want to ride him.”70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcT9fwaDRxH
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“Absolutely not.”70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXc80PSLngN
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“I think we’ve reached an understanding.”70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg4BZzekgcl
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“You’ll be broken in half.”70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhl89KGwI4g
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Imran was already climbing the fence. “Then scatter my ashes with flair.”70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7CIh44oj2v
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Caesar watched him approach like a king tolerating a jester.70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnirRLaYdOO
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Imran grabbed the reins gently. “Easy, buddy. Let’s be friends.”70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRs4NCKFJVV
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He mounted quickly. Caesar didn’t move. He stood frozen lulling Imran into a false sense of security. Then he exploded. He tore through the ring like a bullet with hooves. Imran held on—for one glorious, adrenaline-fueled second.70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFaGNWxZtd2
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Then came the buck.70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTxtH0FnSGX
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Then another.70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsL24Ys5MNC
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And on the third, Imran flew.70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlHxudo1csx
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He landed in the dirt with a thud and a very ungraceful grunt.70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ04ZmLseEIr
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Lamija was already sprinting. “Imran!”70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI4PRglgdhX
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He rolled onto his back, groaning. “I’m alive.”70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLmgpXChW1v
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She dropped to her knees beside him. “You’re a certified idiot.”70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYjxfrFYurt
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Caesar trotted to the fence, glared once, and turned his back with a dramatic flick of his tail.70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOh6oxLKdM2
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“Wow,” Imran muttered. “He’s petty.”70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmkLG9RuQW2
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“He gave you ten seconds. That’s a personal record.”70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRbmly8qAJS
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“Tell him I’m open to peace talks.”70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ31oX0yAtWh
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Lamija laughed, brushing dust off his hoodie.70Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXylARzSvk7
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They sat together on the edge of the ring, shoulders close.
Imran looked at her then. Really looked.
“You know,” he said, “Ayub’s not perfect. But he’s good. And he loves you—not in some distant, poetic way. In a real way. He’d show up. Every day. Quietly. Consistently.”
“I know,” she said softly. “That’s what makes it hard.”
Imran nodded. “You don’t owe him anything. Not a feeling. Not a future.”
“But?” she asked.
“But if there’s even a part of you that wonders what it might look like… to build something real with someone who sees you already?” He paused. “I think you should give him a chance.”
Lamija’s brows drew together, not in resistance—but in something more complicated.
Imran’s voice dropped.
“It hurts less,” he admitted, “when I picture you with someone like him. Someone I trust. Someone who’d protect you like I would—without ever making you small to do it.”
That landed.
Lamija didn’t respond. Not right away. But her posture shifted, her arms uncrossing as she reached down to rest her hand against the fence.
Caesar let out a long breath behind them, the tension in the ring softening.
“I’m not promising anything,” she said quietly.
“I’m not asking you to,” Imran replied. “Just… don’t shut the door before you check what’s behind it.”
Lamija smiled faintly.
“Has anyone ever told you you’d make an excellent therapist?”
Imran grinned. “Only every time you come to me for unsolicited advice.”
She bumped her shoulder into his.
He didn’t push again.
He didn’t need to.
Something had already started to shift.
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