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.120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYq0tlZ4dC5
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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.120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCfkbhzLFtu
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Now, it was well past midnight. His stomach growled.120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXyUVoqTRXI
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He opened the fridge and groaned.120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUCMoE0Hqj3
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Half a serving of roasted potatoes. A spoonful of lamb. Maybe two zucchini slices if he was being generous.120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ZXIDh0A2S
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“Really, Lamija?” he muttered. “You left me diplomatic scraps.”120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgdljoe81kJ
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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.120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH9eGTJk9jz
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As he ate standing at the counter, his thoughts drifted.120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYNfleozULy
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Selma.120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHMGxiVQvcn
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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.120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG5GswlUdHK
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And now there was the matter of telling his mother.120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMagPphsqGv
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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?120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3u2WxYDSou
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He didn’t want permission.120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZwLlN1yVY
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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?120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJBzAj8wf3X
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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.120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq1w5gEuHHE
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Caesar.120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ8DjvOdsbj
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The sound tugged at him—equal parts thunder and invitation.120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMQHDEk6WRC
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He stepped back into the kitchen and outside onto the patio.120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUREkCUtuwk
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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.120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ04fp296Yb2
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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.120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq4QaPC5mYW
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She rode him with utter control—no fear, no hesitation. Her posture perfect. Her arms steady. Her face focused.120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdqM6GE9UWs
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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.120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡve2HLPV2fU
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They were a sight.120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOB44VxmkQk
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Imran leaned against the fence, arms crossed, the corners of his mouth tipping upward.120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2UWgPxHHqk
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“Would’ve been nice if you left me more than three potatoes,” he called.120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkH5VQZGXzA
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Lamija’s laugh rang out across the ring. “You came home late. That’s the tax.”120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdv7JQvBHZE
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“You eat like royalty and leave your big brother starving. That feels personal.”120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFA1OCIcW96
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She slowed Caesar into a wide circle. “I regret nothing.”120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWONYZT8eiT
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“How was the meeting?” he asked.120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwgp7W27omc
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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.”120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBOA28pxHZc
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“He’s the one Babo wants?”120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxADSkWthv5
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“Apparently. You know how he is. Sees an investment portfolio and forgets common sense.”120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHgQyw22P8j
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Imran chuckled. “That’s our father.”120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOmkVXxGd5a
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“I told him we’d follow up. Politely.”120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYYBGkSP6xW
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Imran leaned further into the fence. “Adil called me.”120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwF4itEeivQ
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Lamija groaned audibly. “What now?”120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Yl5Gsr3Ae
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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.’”120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8xf239gFHH
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Lamija grinned despite herself. “Subtlety is a lost art.”120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzxsSlQ1xi7
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“I already bought it. For Eid. Don’t get cocky.”120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Awkm9O3VD
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“I’m just saying—you understood the assignment.”120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9wnfGVal9t
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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.”120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMaz9x3PR5O
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Lamija’s expression turned icy. “Did you tell him where to shove it?”120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFCvPVKIBb4
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“I may have used slightly more colorful language.. If Babo ever heard him talk like that—”120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkM0bJV8sDI
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“He’d light their offices on fire.”120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8l48YWXPvF
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“And I’d hand him the match.”120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3o8MVTlQcN
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They shared a moment of wordless understanding.120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiCBlXLlGMN
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Caesar snorted, stomping one foot in disapproval of the break.120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuFk6igA3ZW
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Imran scratched his neck. “So... Ayub?”120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBeBe0NXfN6
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Lamija exhaled. “Everyone’s worried I’ll break him. Mama. You. Everyone.”120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeLzkZ56uRr
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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.”120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTNgx2xulea
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“I’m not heartless.”120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc42mwAur6h
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“I know. But you’re curious. And with someone like Ayub, that’s not a neutral emotion.”120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMzgloOYfhP
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Lamija fell quiet, guiding Caesar into another slow pass.120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnRiJ3ydOCY
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“I don’t want to feel guilty for not feeling the same,” she admitted.120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS47wwTNRlS
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“You shouldn’t. You owe no one your affection.”120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIldYFDbkCN
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“Even if he’s... Ayub?”120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKiq0ZtX2cz
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“Even then.”120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlNhT1SqPnC
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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.120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ46zklFfKSE
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“Still chasing Selma?” Lamija asked after a long beat.120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJMWuteRV5C
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Imran smiled, soft and firm. “I want her, Lamija.”120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcjRj9j13KZ
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“I don’t think she’s ready.”120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwy28orZgwP
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“I can wait.”120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQX2mWsQQFG
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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.120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv77S5NU6VH
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Lamija laughed. “He thinks you’ve had enough of my attention.”120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyAnqjn1qES
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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.120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoTb941w7wX
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“See?” Imran said smugly. “We’re building trust.”120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtgoqR3XPCp
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Lamija rolled her eyes. “Don’t let it go to your head.”120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEwFhISoNPV
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“I want to ride him.”120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdqvbdvRUt7
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“Absolutely not.”120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRmIfXjz69Z
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“I think we’ve reached an understanding.”120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnNyxitBe3s
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“You’ll be broken in half.”120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgOEz6hCHhp
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Imran was already climbing the fence. “Then scatter my ashes with flair.”120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7iU6jGoJix
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Caesar watched him approach like a king tolerating a jester.120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ65MOKZtoTg
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Imran grabbed the reins gently. “Easy, buddy. Let’s be friends.”120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1UYHHGEkU6
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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.120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzDb5kiK7h8
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Then came the buck.120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNB7rsfED5I
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Then another.120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrvmFfn31yI
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And on the third, Imran flew.120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC0Njcm58u0
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He landed in the dirt with a thud and a very ungraceful grunt.120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡflObNTlMPQ
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Lamija was already sprinting. “Imran!”120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ746Hakltvd
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He rolled onto his back, groaning. “I’m alive.”120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF22lfeA5SY
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She dropped to her knees beside him. “You’re a certified idiot.”120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9M9NtoIa1g
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Caesar trotted to the fence, glared once, and turned his back with a dramatic flick of his tail.120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhGrDzk7mvr
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“Wow,” Imran muttered. “He’s petty.”120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQSlGg4zJ44
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“He gave you ten seconds. That’s a personal record.”120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEGrLhaMwHs
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“Tell him I’m open to peace talks.”120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkKoTS8oXSG
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Lamija laughed, brushing dust off his hoodie.120Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡat1pBgmmwb
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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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