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.71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnTK5siAkGh
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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.71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMx79Q6Rh3s
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Now, it was well past midnight. His stomach growled.71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVXXWm18fgY
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He opened the fridge and groaned.71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGWljSMiolx
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Half a serving of roasted potatoes. A spoonful of lamb. Maybe two zucchini slices if he was being generous.71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJxVQJuhWsz
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“Really, Lamija?” he muttered. “You left me diplomatic scraps.”71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ZmIjBefI1
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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.71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKYuXYN7n4h
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As he ate standing at the counter, his thoughts drifted.71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtm1PaUV5KP
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Selma.71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKhwGRXeIX7
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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.71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdBjSc5gFei
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And now there was the matter of telling his mother.71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjbR3k1wf1t
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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?71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlbzFjsL1Qx
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He didn’t want permission.71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCfOAZPkmpk
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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?71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5vIh5iU9Q8
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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.71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡid4ej8E8xi
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Caesar.71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx0Kso083a5
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The sound tugged at him—equal parts thunder and invitation.71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeLbEP9qya6
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He stepped back into the kitchen and outside onto the patio.71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmDNVUPa7Jp
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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.71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvMIghLNfYu
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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.71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRpgoQKkJ3y
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She rode him with utter control—no fear, no hesitation. Her posture perfect. Her arms steady. Her face focused.71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQdS0d5FqMJ
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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.71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt9gjgpG68H
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They were a sight.71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOs4q7B53ZF
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Imran leaned against the fence, arms crossed, the corners of his mouth tipping upward.71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwoi7jIyY90
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“Would’ve been nice if you left me more than three potatoes,” he called.71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoDA63YxrOK
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Lamija’s laugh rang out across the ring. “You came home late. That’s the tax.”71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKUIEwC0uTI
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“You eat like royalty and leave your big brother starving. That feels personal.”71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Q2YVKF294
71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhuRa0fmMJP
She slowed Caesar into a wide circle. “I regret nothing.”71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfD5oK90sHT
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“How was the meeting?” he asked.71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsnLxm7a4JG
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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.”71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqGAI4anYFr
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“He’s the one Babo wants?”71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVF6S0OuBNT
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“Apparently. You know how he is. Sees an investment portfolio and forgets common sense.”71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdN3BbBUISi
71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1gBCfdqO7P
Imran chuckled. “That’s our father.”71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAuMqHiM2W2
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“I told him we’d follow up. Politely.”71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtp9W1kBmt1
71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9kpIkcOS1Z
Imran leaned further into the fence. “Adil called me.”71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡveUq6xFErF
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Lamija groaned audibly. “What now?”71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡja9Ud84loW
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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.’”71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6KlglTXSGE
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Lamija grinned despite herself. “Subtlety is a lost art.”71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlk3jgA0Hoh
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“I already bought it. For Eid. Don’t get cocky.”71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG8wVhXSQuf
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“I’m just saying—you understood the assignment.”71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz8LfOyPnpt
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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.”71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBUQ6zVJduV
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Lamija’s expression turned icy. “Did you tell him where to shove it?”71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVsK1WlluAJ
71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGAGc4stNgM
“I may have used slightly more colorful language.. If Babo ever heard him talk like that—”71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5RSDRfxvS8
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“He’d light their offices on fire.”71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUGlusMkdZU
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“And I’d hand him the match.”71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTQNDxEh0jU
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They shared a moment of wordless understanding.71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWDntkHHjsN
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Caesar snorted, stomping one foot in disapproval of the break.71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrqltfjqVp3
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Imran scratched his neck. “So... Ayub?”71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYceWNBSIff
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Lamija exhaled. “Everyone’s worried I’ll break him. Mama. You. Everyone.”71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT8YPvpx7LW
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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.”71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK9PlMUdb2t
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“I’m not heartless.”71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIu94ljsTTN
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“I know. But you’re curious. And with someone like Ayub, that’s not a neutral emotion.”71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUsLhmjddib
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Lamija fell quiet, guiding Caesar into another slow pass.71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVPUzLGpFfo
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“I don’t want to feel guilty for not feeling the same,” she admitted.71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6U12QDrUBp
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“You shouldn’t. You owe no one your affection.”71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1CIElejNL0
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“Even if he’s... Ayub?”71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJqq6wIO59v
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“Even then.”71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlakfnaroe5
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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.71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC2QCciQqAV
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“Still chasing Selma?” Lamija asked after a long beat.71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX4ueDCc8UI
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Imran smiled, soft and firm. “I want her, Lamija.”71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwJ9gKz6jLL
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“I don’t think she’s ready.”71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTXEqMsPx2d
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“I can wait.”71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmxcNqMbX8j
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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.71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpAkGfiCfJB
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Lamija laughed. “He thinks you’ve had enough of my attention.”71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmlWIqc6AKz
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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.71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkOiBLSQi8K
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“See?” Imran said smugly. “We’re building trust.”71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFtB7x0MZPp
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Lamija rolled her eyes. “Don’t let it go to your head.”71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzom2zgT9TW
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“I want to ride him.”71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡku11KrBYRb
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“Absolutely not.”71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi7nL3evMOt
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“I think we’ve reached an understanding.”71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaVz3KWNIF0
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“You’ll be broken in half.”71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOkuEEHO9Gy
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Imran was already climbing the fence. “Then scatter my ashes with flair.”71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ttXg9mhiU
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Caesar watched him approach like a king tolerating a jester.71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCH8LaqQPkr
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Imran grabbed the reins gently. “Easy, buddy. Let’s be friends.”71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqLpx8mnaBZ
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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.71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpOuBi8zyyN
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Then came the buck.71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS6UReCVbYk
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Then another.71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0HEcwHx9Eq
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And on the third, Imran flew.71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNOoVFmCdMT
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He landed in the dirt with a thud and a very ungraceful grunt.71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMBIfs1mINt
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Lamija was already sprinting. “Imran!”71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhgf9lGsaLT
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He rolled onto his back, groaning. “I’m alive.”71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi3pmazQkNw
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She dropped to her knees beside him. “You’re a certified idiot.”71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Pu40tn3rL
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Caesar trotted to the fence, glared once, and turned his back with a dramatic flick of his tail.71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPaEMiZja0v
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“Wow,” Imran muttered. “He’s petty.”71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlgIBp9wQFX
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“He gave you ten seconds. That’s a personal record.”71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRlfxV0vFdQ
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“Tell him I’m open to peace talks.”71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7njqQ1Iy75
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Lamija laughed, brushing dust off his hoodie.71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEFk2bnWysZ
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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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