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.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQemVY1tBtP
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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.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaYHQWZtU8x
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Now, it was well past midnight. His stomach growled.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIPR7EoWgBt
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He opened the fridge and groaned.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx4ib28simG
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Half a serving of roasted potatoes. A spoonful of lamb. Maybe two zucchini slices if he was being generous.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYBNnSRSroR
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“Really, Lamija?” he muttered. “You left me diplomatic scraps.”90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZOyica4eip
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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.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOWJhsOawbR
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As he ate standing at the counter, his thoughts drifted.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPaow718NhQ
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Selma.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoLANlwVY8z
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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.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLrD8pAsiVX
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And now there was the matter of telling his mother.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOJYh2XhCef
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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?90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiWyoTIYzlt
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He didn’t want permission.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXYpPUz3XMn
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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?90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNjECSGRsLq
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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.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpk5rQlYvj6
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Caesar.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcfrKMm0yNG
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The sound tugged at him—equal parts thunder and invitation.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1CxMxGEvad
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He stepped back into the kitchen and outside onto the patio.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCz2iaJS6wi
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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.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6gcIH5g9p9
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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.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPuhH9Z8e5c
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She rode him with utter control—no fear, no hesitation. Her posture perfect. Her arms steady. Her face focused.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJq85Utsv5m
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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.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmYBMEIbrOG
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They were a sight.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUCwjOQwppN
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Imran leaned against the fence, arms crossed, the corners of his mouth tipping upward.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZcuUojTMJ6
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“Would’ve been nice if you left me more than three potatoes,” he called.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkD77AeY4NM
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Lamija’s laugh rang out across the ring. “You came home late. That’s the tax.”90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzPTLQ0ghAI
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“You eat like royalty and leave your big brother starving. That feels personal.”90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKRljo4LaL5
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She slowed Caesar into a wide circle. “I regret nothing.”90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVLj2KGK1oR
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“How was the meeting?” he asked.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2zrZiuL5xO
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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.”90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6dd6SSRlx6
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“He’s the one Babo wants?”90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSND4lcuZlu
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“Apparently. You know how he is. Sees an investment portfolio and forgets common sense.”90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJhrk9L7iSW
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Imran chuckled. “That’s our father.”90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIQtV2GYHen
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“I told him we’d follow up. Politely.”90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaxjztNilhu
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Imran leaned further into the fence. “Adil called me.”90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ShjHrRgdR
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Lamija groaned audibly. “What now?”90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdFhIwDisTl
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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.’”90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVstwelBQF1
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Lamija grinned despite herself. “Subtlety is a lost art.”90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Jr3MqWPxQ
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“I already bought it. For Eid. Don’t get cocky.”90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTz9VgU8Oxg
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“I’m just saying—you understood the assignment.”90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWAy5TpcJCH
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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.”90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9AG3vvXKC7
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Lamija’s expression turned icy. “Did you tell him where to shove it?”90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDnYNMnBBR5
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“I may have used slightly more colorful language.. If Babo ever heard him talk like that—”90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSJuK6J0tXL
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“He’d light their offices on fire.”90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBORNl5mz6e
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“And I’d hand him the match.”90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlvSifqlHl4
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They shared a moment of wordless understanding.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM3EyBgEmom
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Caesar snorted, stomping one foot in disapproval of the break.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWHmoxsApwc
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Imran scratched his neck. “So... Ayub?”90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM6PYmI5jhk
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Lamija exhaled. “Everyone’s worried I’ll break him. Mama. You. Everyone.”90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡChAanqhUdp
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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.”90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡviWx2EeFFQ
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“I’m not heartless.”90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHzhGZCz57I
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“I know. But you’re curious. And with someone like Ayub, that’s not a neutral emotion.”90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡukbj7pPASZ
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Lamija fell quiet, guiding Caesar into another slow pass.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQSittIoL6j
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“I don’t want to feel guilty for not feeling the same,” she admitted.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIj688vGVA6
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“You shouldn’t. You owe no one your affection.”90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuCkSNrGB7A
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“Even if he’s... Ayub?”90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuMtHtXLhr5
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“Even then.”90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkD5Mg2zSEg
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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.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLGvh8bFVHs
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“Still chasing Selma?” Lamija asked after a long beat.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8J6EA9ONt4
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Imran smiled, soft and firm. “I want her, Lamija.”90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN13MxOTBaN
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“I don’t think she’s ready.”90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNS25qd4qDL
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“I can wait.”90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB8zXrLEdWc
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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.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSN62Bhfdhm
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Lamija laughed. “He thinks you’ve had enough of my attention.”90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc0e6kY2owq
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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.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0UYWBTs5L5
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“See?” Imran said smugly. “We’re building trust.”90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLzUYsRDkxo
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Lamija rolled her eyes. “Don’t let it go to your head.”90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlr8YKBtX0T
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“I want to ride him.”90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZysPa3crSX
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“Absolutely not.”90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRhh9chK7Eu
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“I think we’ve reached an understanding.”90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSxUsK3WAHa
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“You’ll be broken in half.”90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOyCF0W4avf
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Imran was already climbing the fence. “Then scatter my ashes with flair.”90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ17OeSencw3
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Caesar watched him approach like a king tolerating a jester.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsxxlEshZPw
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Imran grabbed the reins gently. “Easy, buddy. Let’s be friends.”90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ogiHWBYtX
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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.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG8bjPxsW3i
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Then came the buck.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡauhYifkzya
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Then another.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG0fRvS5WHh
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And on the third, Imran flew.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAbK4JOhOAK
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He landed in the dirt with a thud and a very ungraceful grunt.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa20FSNlmnp
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Lamija was already sprinting. “Imran!”90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgvZkwNWfuP
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He rolled onto his back, groaning. “I’m alive.”90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxy4U0e1plm
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She dropped to her knees beside him. “You’re a certified idiot.”90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9eituyIdFU
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Caesar trotted to the fence, glared once, and turned his back with a dramatic flick of his tail.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡylwghQlAjU
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“Wow,” Imran muttered. “He’s petty.”90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0PbeXglGjo
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“He gave you ten seconds. That’s a personal record.”90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNt8Cw3zos3
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“Tell him I’m open to peace talks.”90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGERZ2f8XE8
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Lamija laughed, brushing dust off his hoodie.90Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwH7n0IJ1K3
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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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