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.117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqb77iMWM7l
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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.117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6e7mhktBfi
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Now, it was well past midnight. His stomach growled.117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvDhSxff6qF
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He opened the fridge and groaned.117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWdB0UVOPKW
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Half a serving of roasted potatoes. A spoonful of lamb. Maybe two zucchini slices if he was being generous.117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfYwEIW3Psn
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“Really, Lamija?” he muttered. “You left me diplomatic scraps.”117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkMDj3ZN3Jk
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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.117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ17EpskAbgC
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As he ate standing at the counter, his thoughts drifted.117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtR9F3OJFVG
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Selma.117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkinZcfrRAC
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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.117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOFPFOMgSuO
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And now there was the matter of telling his mother.117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO0DtWD3QmB
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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?117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡieUKzMIJCN
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He didn’t want permission.117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl17yfNhTbQ
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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?117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq04lwltVdK
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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.117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQz59teSBRv
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Caesar.117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMqREoBV4oq
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The sound tugged at him—equal parts thunder and invitation.117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ5R6u3S2Dx
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He stepped back into the kitchen and outside onto the patio.117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Vdo1TwiKW
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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.117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLdQTF80NL9
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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.117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3i9cKjcvym
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She rode him with utter control—no fear, no hesitation. Her posture perfect. Her arms steady. Her face focused.117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6sGdORlZLO
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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.117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyvIrmBQKSQ
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They were a sight.117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc0SHfESHdp
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Imran leaned against the fence, arms crossed, the corners of his mouth tipping upward.117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEAO9mApr0c
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“Would’ve been nice if you left me more than three potatoes,” he called.117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ArphMYUKc
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Lamija’s laugh rang out across the ring. “You came home late. That’s the tax.”117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIYLrcMYah7
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“You eat like royalty and leave your big brother starving. That feels personal.”117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUpUA2SwOPt
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She slowed Caesar into a wide circle. “I regret nothing.”117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOt6AxQvx9g
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“How was the meeting?” he asked.117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHkLCgUJKXZ
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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.”117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWC7ugYjqAW
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“He’s the one Babo wants?”117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbgJcHovrGP
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“Apparently. You know how he is. Sees an investment portfolio and forgets common sense.”117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm6hkvzb4OR
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Imran chuckled. “That’s our father.”117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrLrOyAo6mO
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“I told him we’d follow up. Politely.”117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoiSkkOQmHu
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Imran leaned further into the fence. “Adil called me.”117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEgSrpP1MzO
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Lamija groaned audibly. “What now?”117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFlt2Gu1TyD
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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.’”117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoJKlmOybtD
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Lamija grinned despite herself. “Subtlety is a lost art.”117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8QqZNvHAUH
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“I already bought it. For Eid. Don’t get cocky.”117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnc8yDe3GKe
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“I’m just saying—you understood the assignment.”117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ27u6LuxEnn
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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.”117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq40GEc46q7
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Lamija’s expression turned icy. “Did you tell him where to shove it?”117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJkLE1NVbhN
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“I may have used slightly more colorful language.. If Babo ever heard him talk like that—”117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCg3EnNoahU
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“He’d light their offices on fire.”117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwJkNkmjES8
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“And I’d hand him the match.”117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRV3RAaHtzx
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They shared a moment of wordless understanding.117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwYvQakFFGv
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Caesar snorted, stomping one foot in disapproval of the break.117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡROs1IiBRYH
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Imran scratched his neck. “So... Ayub?”117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡahbK81NEfP
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Lamija exhaled. “Everyone’s worried I’ll break him. Mama. You. Everyone.”117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Syq4Hdx2c
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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.”117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2vD3LQQviT
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“I’m not heartless.”117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcwRvcyTTe9
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“I know. But you’re curious. And with someone like Ayub, that’s not a neutral emotion.”117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXuasVYTk8g
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Lamija fell quiet, guiding Caesar into another slow pass.117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡveEim8EyWG
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“I don’t want to feel guilty for not feeling the same,” she admitted.117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuCjFGHPT7E
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“You shouldn’t. You owe no one your affection.”117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdjhq3U6jhs
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“Even if he’s... Ayub?”117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfjh9bDbCxb
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“Even then.”117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkguQhcEMeH
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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.117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxY9S9VliYH
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“Still chasing Selma?” Lamija asked after a long beat.117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqtp5m3Rtgv
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Imran smiled, soft and firm. “I want her, Lamija.”117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ30G9AG4IYE
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“I don’t think she’s ready.”117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI12tzCeHLo
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“I can wait.”117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqjqZshUKnT
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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.117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDgTMGW6oFr
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Lamija laughed. “He thinks you’ve had enough of my attention.”117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBBZ9XMIPUR
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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.117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJyMJBJdlkP
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“See?” Imran said smugly. “We’re building trust.”117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMyY0K5bPpY
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Lamija rolled her eyes. “Don’t let it go to your head.”117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBuQt566av4
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“I want to ride him.”117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsNBHedSRq7
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“Absolutely not.”117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkzLcbS2Gvk
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“I think we’ve reached an understanding.”117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡapEbRjUOgV
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“You’ll be broken in half.”117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmOYAisBEX0
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Imran was already climbing the fence. “Then scatter my ashes with flair.”117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJgvYx6N0iJ
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Caesar watched him approach like a king tolerating a jester.117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmvI7nouEad
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Imran grabbed the reins gently. “Easy, buddy. Let’s be friends.”117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsqNsZ4VEBV
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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.117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb9C9HuilzV
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Then came the buck.117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNCA8HFeToc
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Then another.117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡosBSGFqwhw
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And on the third, Imran flew.117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7gFImo7XtA
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He landed in the dirt with a thud and a very ungraceful grunt.117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcCDeVErrQq
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Lamija was already sprinting. “Imran!”117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUkcEi5Jxyj
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He rolled onto his back, groaning. “I’m alive.”117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ6QW5RL8Ib
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She dropped to her knees beside him. “You’re a certified idiot.”117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCa8QlK8yHL
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Caesar trotted to the fence, glared once, and turned his back with a dramatic flick of his tail.117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq9sdpJM4Nh
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“Wow,” Imran muttered. “He’s petty.”117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKqaP2ROLNa
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“He gave you ten seconds. That’s a personal record.”117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2m1iHPDvnR
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“Tell him I’m open to peace talks.”117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBvosOhx3XP
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Lamija laughed, brushing dust off his hoodie.117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE8knKWYx4d
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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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