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.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqEO527GAxE
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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.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgUzNCJj6oW
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Now, it was well past midnight. His stomach growled.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfxEiRhgkYx
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He opened the fridge and groaned.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG1v6tYJEds
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Half a serving of roasted potatoes. A spoonful of lamb. Maybe two zucchini slices if he was being generous.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzE9d5wNGwx
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“Really, Lamija?” he muttered. “You left me diplomatic scraps.”123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAB1PKFuJmI
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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.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm3RzuEKM5S
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As he ate standing at the counter, his thoughts drifted.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbum0RNPkAq
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Selma.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf6XEnxYnm5
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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.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡii5Y5ZVO1Z
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And now there was the matter of telling his mother.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Ogh3KV7xw
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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?123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXWz2LLutyT
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He didn’t want permission.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV0Pj9auuc0
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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?123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWwev5ineiC
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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.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM4wnlTgmxS
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Caesar.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhSr2dKqUpC
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The sound tugged at him—equal parts thunder and invitation.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBFDRLtd4T6
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He stepped back into the kitchen and outside onto the patio.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0eZVTYJlIb
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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.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt7rSVzrBQq
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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.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0si6gwkrXt
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She rode him with utter control—no fear, no hesitation. Her posture perfect. Her arms steady. Her face focused.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVyvjV21AYd
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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.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkPY15dBn0b
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They were a sight.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkhTSpkXXpD
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Imran leaned against the fence, arms crossed, the corners of his mouth tipping upward.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡea2YzVV9B0
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“Would’ve been nice if you left me more than three potatoes,” he called.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡodXBolPfmP
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Lamija’s laugh rang out across the ring. “You came home late. That’s the tax.”123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtUdUqDWDVu
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“You eat like royalty and leave your big brother starving. That feels personal.”123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5QqX5kGpUm
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She slowed Caesar into a wide circle. “I regret nothing.”123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN3BFIkRqWN
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“How was the meeting?” he asked.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ63gucFLoue
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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.”123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXMOi91P0Dp
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“He’s the one Babo wants?”123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBRiBNFKrzd
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“Apparently. You know how he is. Sees an investment portfolio and forgets common sense.”123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiT5bmNvFZm
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Imran chuckled. “That’s our father.”123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYGBSlfiUim
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“I told him we’d follow up. Politely.”123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoR0FVCCs4B
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Imran leaned further into the fence. “Adil called me.”123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡovliMyNiuC
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Lamija groaned audibly. “What now?”123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Mn9IxOhjl
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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.’”123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrRMaqVn0Zx
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Lamija grinned despite herself. “Subtlety is a lost art.”123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfNrVGTGHZq
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“I already bought it. For Eid. Don’t get cocky.”123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj98OOAp0Vt
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“I’m just saying—you understood the assignment.”123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoLbKuDSSQW
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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.”123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgERv41fb5j
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Lamija’s expression turned icy. “Did you tell him where to shove it?”123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡirl1rYenhd
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“I may have used slightly more colorful language.. If Babo ever heard him talk like that—”123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs89eL44XXD
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“He’d light their offices on fire.”123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYeuT3fqHHd
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“And I’d hand him the match.”123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIjRFP16P3I
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They shared a moment of wordless understanding.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9rQOqfKzyF
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Caesar snorted, stomping one foot in disapproval of the break.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMTcAwWkDPR
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Imran scratched his neck. “So... Ayub?”123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4kKgWxsZ1k
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Lamija exhaled. “Everyone’s worried I’ll break him. Mama. You. Everyone.”123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWOBp3Dkyyv
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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.”123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAMgLXm6Z0T
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“I’m not heartless.”123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZpHB36bku2
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“I know. But you’re curious. And with someone like Ayub, that’s not a neutral emotion.”123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIVCH8ViTSm
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Lamija fell quiet, guiding Caesar into another slow pass.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3hKKxykVze
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“I don’t want to feel guilty for not feeling the same,” she admitted.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl1Xe5tgzEM
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“You shouldn’t. You owe no one your affection.”123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRbqLgEsz0Y
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“Even if he’s... Ayub?”123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3VJFKUtRVu
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“Even then.”123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2cL0rDUyH1
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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.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoLE2AolEmU
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“Still chasing Selma?” Lamija asked after a long beat.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmHFvTyyPwG
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Imran smiled, soft and firm. “I want her, Lamija.”123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwTDryuMoxs
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“I don’t think she’s ready.”123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaosgvQvwiq
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“I can wait.”123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3wKU1i9K3l
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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.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡic21rsNfpL
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Lamija laughed. “He thinks you’ve had enough of my attention.”123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ781ox8SgyN
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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.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrvzDJtF1j2
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“See?” Imran said smugly. “We’re building trust.”123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7inPRd3EhS
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Lamija rolled her eyes. “Don’t let it go to your head.”123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4tDTot8NV1
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“I want to ride him.”123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhBHALn5zK7
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“Absolutely not.”123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlX5ec7Qpti
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“I think we’ve reached an understanding.”123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Aicih2xCu
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“You’ll be broken in half.”123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ88UTC3HDeA
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Imran was already climbing the fence. “Then scatter my ashes with flair.”123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡognjxu8u8V
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Caesar watched him approach like a king tolerating a jester.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlEmvlGz167
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Imran grabbed the reins gently. “Easy, buddy. Let’s be friends.”123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFYtFBg0ipp
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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.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBfKYz3vikV
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Then came the buck.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnrsQ6QpPck
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Then another.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpWbcLMCy8I
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And on the third, Imran flew.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2V8wYlROD6
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He landed in the dirt with a thud and a very ungraceful grunt.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtkY9cI0R2n
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Lamija was already sprinting. “Imran!”123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN18C1kyyDt
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He rolled onto his back, groaning. “I’m alive.”123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ58RNykBDrh
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She dropped to her knees beside him. “You’re a certified idiot.”123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ALbZqwlkP
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Caesar trotted to the fence, glared once, and turned his back with a dramatic flick of his tail.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡij8fKFhzsH
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“Wow,” Imran muttered. “He’s petty.”123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAbIaGJLZYI
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“He gave you ten seconds. That’s a personal record.”123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHMn6nQtpM4
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“Tell him I’m open to peace talks.”123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9N2jq2AeFz
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Lamija laughed, brushing dust off his hoodie.123Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ21GFPmDnsD
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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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