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.106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBBLJCjDm4x
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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.106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtX48lSXfme
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Now, it was well past midnight. His stomach growled.106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP19ah2n25j
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He opened the fridge and groaned.106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ06bvBdAcTi
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Half a serving of roasted potatoes. A spoonful of lamb. Maybe two zucchini slices if he was being generous.106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0E1VHxValH
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“Really, Lamija?” he muttered. “You left me diplomatic scraps.”106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡej7OQz6bdr
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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.106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIxHsPYuH1s
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As he ate standing at the counter, his thoughts drifted.106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMA1kI2Smp3
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Selma.106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi5tV0PD62k
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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.106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWklH9No7Ap
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And now there was the matter of telling his mother.106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡinkhx3dNtE
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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?106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCIiOosYCNo
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He didn’t want permission.106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Q7nHPF46f
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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?106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKHVllmEJ3M
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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.106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuv9DuglAeo
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Caesar.106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoiqhlSzrxk
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The sound tugged at him—equal parts thunder and invitation.106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyta8OCnfLf
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He stepped back into the kitchen and outside onto the patio.106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKvW4TtJFoX
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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.106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOhWxfmfxtk
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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.106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmTBpq5VVcr
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She rode him with utter control—no fear, no hesitation. Her posture perfect. Her arms steady. Her face focused.106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiADasASOa7
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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.106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlHLMwTXIsc
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They were a sight.106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKdx4Z9sEmG
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Imran leaned against the fence, arms crossed, the corners of his mouth tipping upward.106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTpGaf6cykV
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“Would’ve been nice if you left me more than three potatoes,” he called.106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoBRMl3CqdL
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Lamija’s laugh rang out across the ring. “You came home late. That’s the tax.”106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrPYZhTEOp1
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“You eat like royalty and leave your big brother starving. That feels personal.”106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRqGZkVs8da
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She slowed Caesar into a wide circle. “I regret nothing.”106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGPJSOkhMHE
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“How was the meeting?” he asked.106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLiDqZVDroz
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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.”106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4OeFUm6zsX
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“He’s the one Babo wants?”106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvbmdqMQfNk
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“Apparently. You know how he is. Sees an investment portfolio and forgets common sense.”106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRXsk080Nen
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Imran chuckled. “That’s our father.”106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw7ssJ1TX1s
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“I told him we’d follow up. Politely.”106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzytxXNsEXj
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Imran leaned further into the fence. “Adil called me.”106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3uDoAyciLD
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Lamija groaned audibly. “What now?”106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX3DFZGE49j
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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.’”106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOzjKoKRQOQ
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Lamija grinned despite herself. “Subtlety is a lost art.”106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0x447pOtMl
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“I already bought it. For Eid. Don’t get cocky.”106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpnnfsIov2m
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“I’m just saying—you understood the assignment.”106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvd9tYWMHcS
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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.”106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtYQb4cAAYl
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Lamija’s expression turned icy. “Did you tell him where to shove it?”106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtRImMkiTMR
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“I may have used slightly more colorful language.. If Babo ever heard him talk like that—”106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv34yOTwJkf
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“He’d light their offices on fire.”106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyDPaX8jaaT
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“And I’d hand him the match.”106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYMsZW98LjE
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They shared a moment of wordless understanding.106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ5wIaBVZ0k
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Caesar snorted, stomping one foot in disapproval of the break.106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUXQaTN2PU3
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Imran scratched his neck. “So... Ayub?”106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡio0O7cJ9zG
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Lamija exhaled. “Everyone’s worried I’ll break him. Mama. You. Everyone.”106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2KKPTAxrmz
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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.”106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtRQDHRyszp
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“I’m not heartless.”106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp55WZ1EeNb
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“I know. But you’re curious. And with someone like Ayub, that’s not a neutral emotion.”106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPo04g7aR7k
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Lamija fell quiet, guiding Caesar into another slow pass.106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3KQ44rGsrr
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“I don’t want to feel guilty for not feeling the same,” she admitted.106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpMmBuU2lWP
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“You shouldn’t. You owe no one your affection.”106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ0uTM7c6Er
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“Even if he’s... Ayub?”106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDrm0Mct99i
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“Even then.”106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK9t3nlZIwh
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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.106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUnS1smKMB0
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“Still chasing Selma?” Lamija asked after a long beat.106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMbwNycRzne
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Imran smiled, soft and firm. “I want her, Lamija.”106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8rp5U5FuXr
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“I don’t think she’s ready.”106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXt7a6xI7dA
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“I can wait.”106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUXfxFPlpnI
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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.106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNKdaA3XTXr
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Lamija laughed. “He thinks you’ve had enough of my attention.”106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZD66LmdBHK
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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.106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUZCUCXkSf2
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“See?” Imran said smugly. “We’re building trust.”106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlixveSQeBx
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Lamija rolled her eyes. “Don’t let it go to your head.”106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX2JX6vzlWi
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“I want to ride him.”106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoAYSPkEepR
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“Absolutely not.”106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg4Zc8UJRRC
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“I think we’ve reached an understanding.”106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNTlGWfYYHW
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“You’ll be broken in half.”106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYrmcd7lLBE
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Imran was already climbing the fence. “Then scatter my ashes with flair.”106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaIz01p4lGg
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Caesar watched him approach like a king tolerating a jester.106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3RfDXYQkhN
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Imran grabbed the reins gently. “Easy, buddy. Let’s be friends.”106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe5QW95Un9Y
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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.106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZmjR3FI0sc
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Then came the buck.106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAcqdHl0ygh
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Then another.106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKFHSDL71OQ
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And on the third, Imran flew.106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGswq3BKkgC
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He landed in the dirt with a thud and a very ungraceful grunt.106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ZBncYwQ2l
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Lamija was already sprinting. “Imran!”106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0cc0oiy0dt
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He rolled onto his back, groaning. “I’m alive.”106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ54yaoRYMv4
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She dropped to her knees beside him. “You’re a certified idiot.”106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeWekQvmP0H
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Caesar trotted to the fence, glared once, and turned his back with a dramatic flick of his tail.106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9fZzdtiJji
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“Wow,” Imran muttered. “He’s petty.”106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx9IybVczQn
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“He gave you ten seconds. That’s a personal record.”106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaHT2MDsqgY
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“Tell him I’m open to peace talks.”106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoAGANisotW
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Lamija laughed, brushing dust off his hoodie.106Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvPJee2IwwK
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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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