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.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ47zOrsgaCa
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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.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡog47XyWp11
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Now, it was well past midnight. His stomach growled.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2TzS0eluy1
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He opened the fridge and groaned.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW1io0UTC4g
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Half a serving of roasted potatoes. A spoonful of lamb. Maybe two zucchini slices if he was being generous.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbC8Ex5ABOX
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“Really, Lamija?” he muttered. “You left me diplomatic scraps.”124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgPdNRzuSrZ
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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.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG9b829Balp
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As he ate standing at the counter, his thoughts drifted.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsXEjnN2P3Z
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Selma.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTsGgJWfDyw
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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.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFnZWatEyha
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And now there was the matter of telling his mother.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr0zU01ItbG
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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?124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcLehGnAxNF
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He didn’t want permission.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAlp3weEZsS
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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?124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8AY1rXJBAJ
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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.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3bpihHv4yK
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Caesar.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuuKgWk5Bxd
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The sound tugged at him—equal parts thunder and invitation.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMGdqpc9AiS
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He stepped back into the kitchen and outside onto the patio.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1lcYARASIS
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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.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLZUEraboLq
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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.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy9aGBsMHn1
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She rode him with utter control—no fear, no hesitation. Her posture perfect. Her arms steady. Her face focused.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjrDv64EvGa
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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.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoyrCE0VpqP
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They were a sight.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKzgXAcEeyk
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Imran leaned against the fence, arms crossed, the corners of his mouth tipping upward.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡze9FGwQozg
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“Would’ve been nice if you left me more than three potatoes,” he called.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGIhIyW9x1X
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Lamija’s laugh rang out across the ring. “You came home late. That’s the tax.”124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbiliVb38EQ
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“You eat like royalty and leave your big brother starving. That feels personal.”124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4yCBFYeo63
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She slowed Caesar into a wide circle. “I regret nothing.”124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7oos6h2j7R
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“How was the meeting?” he asked.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlCICZVz283
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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.”124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjZBSlSEP0m
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“He’s the one Babo wants?”124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA1czYXchbo
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“Apparently. You know how he is. Sees an investment portfolio and forgets common sense.”124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa43wL1t5qu
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Imran chuckled. “That’s our father.”124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGUtWdiGDnw
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“I told him we’d follow up. Politely.”124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMeMlR9tudT
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Imran leaned further into the fence. “Adil called me.”124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN9PWI1AVsU
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Lamija groaned audibly. “What now?”124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo2I4Irr8hN
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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.’”124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN6XJAyeOFf
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Lamija grinned despite herself. “Subtlety is a lost art.”124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZXKHORbQDe
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“I already bought it. For Eid. Don’t get cocky.”124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUHdloJTm36
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“I’m just saying—you understood the assignment.”124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNAXUbXHzFF
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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.”124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg6hGFPI5Sr
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Lamija’s expression turned icy. “Did you tell him where to shove it?”124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfUUq3ipwLg
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“I may have used slightly more colorful language.. If Babo ever heard him talk like that—”124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF4Xd9B3aI4
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“He’d light their offices on fire.”124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDqJUl3Qosb
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“And I’d hand him the match.”124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBDWHGGlIXf
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They shared a moment of wordless understanding.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdXWdaFYyJj
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Caesar snorted, stomping one foot in disapproval of the break.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTShPp6vEVB
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Imran scratched his neck. “So... Ayub?”124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY34OGZFxyY
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Lamija exhaled. “Everyone’s worried I’ll break him. Mama. You. Everyone.”124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAMecAcmrJ3
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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.”124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1v1QMdxXqX
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“I’m not heartless.”124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHHx6gELNLd
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“I know. But you’re curious. And with someone like Ayub, that’s not a neutral emotion.”124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5FXPicSbLw
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Lamija fell quiet, guiding Caesar into another slow pass.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu0wDq90Q3q
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“I don’t want to feel guilty for not feeling the same,” she admitted.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJuuwEZ3wjg
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“You shouldn’t. You owe no one your affection.”124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbkW5vdNbxm
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“Even if he’s... Ayub?”124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡALjo10wIRp
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“Even then.”124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKOlMc7SrqL
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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.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4EHinyI9ww
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“Still chasing Selma?” Lamija asked after a long beat.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡayN2x5YYUN
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Imran smiled, soft and firm. “I want her, Lamija.”124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsZoD4SSmbO
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“I don’t think she’s ready.”124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE5zY93ucWg
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“I can wait.”124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLj12AmNGW8
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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.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpi3po0RFZN
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Lamija laughed. “He thinks you’ve had enough of my attention.”124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOpORlPQU8a
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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.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3E8a78sAie
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“See?” Imran said smugly. “We’re building trust.”124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMEFz7AhsG2
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Lamija rolled her eyes. “Don’t let it go to your head.”124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0uaT2Zy1iG
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“I want to ride him.”124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGHTWQBxTpE
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“Absolutely not.”124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQfX0LGzQuG
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“I think we’ve reached an understanding.”124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmxVx4QC02P
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“You’ll be broken in half.”124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7xmOpdnHAU
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Imran was already climbing the fence. “Then scatter my ashes with flair.”124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmlEda5xMXc
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Caesar watched him approach like a king tolerating a jester.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFVsQCibPt2
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Imran grabbed the reins gently. “Easy, buddy. Let’s be friends.”124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgJeKOUx85k
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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.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc3AjOPnxES
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Then came the buck.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZMOnkhSKZJ
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Then another.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2sBkg5xIOv
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And on the third, Imran flew.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZAOxsDJEGv
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He landed in the dirt with a thud and a very ungraceful grunt.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTTI1JyawLn
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Lamija was already sprinting. “Imran!”124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTVTNxPryyG
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He rolled onto his back, groaning. “I’m alive.”124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡizliwmfrSF
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She dropped to her knees beside him. “You’re a certified idiot.”124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIFIlELa3Ki
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Caesar trotted to the fence, glared once, and turned his back with a dramatic flick of his tail.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1gDKO7i8RU
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“Wow,” Imran muttered. “He’s petty.”124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJN7ddyKrKG
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“He gave you ten seconds. That’s a personal record.”124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvOGdnj360Q
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“Tell him I’m open to peace talks.”124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEeFFYpORqK
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Lamija laughed, brushing dust off his hoodie.124Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgCUBb34rAT
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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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