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.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh2JdlnAUwg
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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.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuPqzjKab4x
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Now, it was well past midnight. His stomach growled.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmFLna6YEij
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He opened the fridge and groaned.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoJymapcgN0
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Half a serving of roasted potatoes. A spoonful of lamb. Maybe two zucchini slices if he was being generous.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTvlXfyhyey
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“Really, Lamija?” he muttered. “You left me diplomatic scraps.”72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡntblzHnZBK
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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.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSGOfL82WRn
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As he ate standing at the counter, his thoughts drifted.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ338gOuehG5
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Selma.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs6WFXvLYxZ
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnmDbVDZj5H
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.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkQwMurTlCd
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And now there was the matter of telling his mother.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgnU3NxDD8X
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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?72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdTnFGNzahD
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He didn’t want permission.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY0pNJLS7ES
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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?72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUgVG60XAxe
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaq4uFk1Syz
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.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMXZb13Z0OQ
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Caesar.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡepalZbb9VU
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The sound tugged at him—equal parts thunder and invitation.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSZSkl2BfQP
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He stepped back into the kitchen and outside onto the patio.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYXTuBZaN89
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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.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlKesQSk4se
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2O6S0iMkTp
In the ring, under the low golden wash of floodlights, Lamija and Caesar moved like they were born from the same force.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLN8ddkb12s
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She rode him with utter control—no fear, no hesitation. Her posture perfect. Her arms steady. Her face focused.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0K5bL3ienM
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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.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoPfSAGoBJP
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They were a sight.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl9LxWxxSgx
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Imran leaned against the fence, arms crossed, the corners of his mouth tipping upward.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAgMgXqBuIP
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“Would’ve been nice if you left me more than three potatoes,” he called.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYApuI03gYB
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkPS5FrBEkX
Lamija’s laugh rang out across the ring. “You came home late. That’s the tax.”72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ256vOgnIw2
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“You eat like royalty and leave your big brother starving. That feels personal.”72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx7bWQq57XZ
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfm7zOMQZcW
She slowed Caesar into a wide circle. “I regret nothing.”72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsez847IsHw
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“How was the meeting?” he asked.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXugQVeP7gS
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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.”72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLnq3wkqSFf
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“He’s the one Babo wants?”72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGdXAjjUaBB
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“Apparently. You know how he is. Sees an investment portfolio and forgets common sense.”72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡheNvsLeY5q
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Imran chuckled. “That’s our father.”72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuDGLZOsoiR
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3bMAXAfk07
“I told him we’d follow up. Politely.”72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAGsMsrzTOd
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Imran leaned further into the fence. “Adil called me.”72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQryZ7G6SoK
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Lamija groaned audibly. “What now?”72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoGy358svHh
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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.’”72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEnMMGvlq9l
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzCHtjBHOYX
Lamija grinned despite herself. “Subtlety is a lost art.”72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0P7DVxdcB7
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“I already bought it. For Eid. Don’t get cocky.”72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV7erpscKTZ
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“I’m just saying—you understood the assignment.”72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfOqBSfU0lq
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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.”72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZDYdTiUP72
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Lamija’s expression turned icy. “Did you tell him where to shove it?”72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUhWZ3LOfRz
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPeNmKmgNbf
“I may have used slightly more colorful language.. If Babo ever heard him talk like that—”72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLlX1sTzvH6
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg9pxsV2lQ6
“He’d light their offices on fire.”72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsm8OqS5vSs
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“And I’d hand him the match.”72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5xrQem7gLV
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They shared a moment of wordless understanding.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1u2mcoYCYb
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Caesar snorted, stomping one foot in disapproval of the break.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ75K9DUZLGp
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Imran scratched his neck. “So... Ayub?”72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtiYfLoMMpN
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Lamija exhaled. “Everyone’s worried I’ll break him. Mama. You. Everyone.”72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAFUJpfBQDN
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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.”72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡczdjVDFeEm
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“I’m not heartless.”72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0hjFApwS2i
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“I know. But you’re curious. And with someone like Ayub, that’s not a neutral emotion.”72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJB09EPcsG3
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Lamija fell quiet, guiding Caesar into another slow pass.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ84Bwy1XhvP
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“I don’t want to feel guilty for not feeling the same,” she admitted.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8PQHZp5FMl
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“You shouldn’t. You owe no one your affection.”72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjw9K4cbCfx
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“Even if he’s... Ayub?”72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHE9jQXT8Vz
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“Even then.”72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNN6YodbkkL
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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.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuITnKn6xsD
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“Still chasing Selma?” Lamija asked after a long beat.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA5vVHJyqx1
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Imran smiled, soft and firm. “I want her, Lamija.”72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpL7hS96hNL
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXfYMzkh9yE
“I don’t think she’s ready.”72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb1tVuIbQNl
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“I can wait.”72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOCHdtmAS8v
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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.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3tYRTuDuou
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Lamija laughed. “He thinks you’ve had enough of my attention.”72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyu2ct10kWh
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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.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWvIXXybLTj
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“See?” Imran said smugly. “We’re building trust.”72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXAt9sbS0Uj
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW60MBcrOVJ
Lamija rolled her eyes. “Don’t let it go to your head.”72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCALyaC4IgJ
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“I want to ride him.”72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5URc7kaoF9
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“Absolutely not.”72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXuQxlPCydy
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“I think we’ve reached an understanding.”72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlZQjupY37y
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“You’ll be broken in half.”72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxrGk0hBqJF
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Imran was already climbing the fence. “Then scatter my ashes with flair.”72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7YwCNjahYS
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Caesar watched him approach like a king tolerating a jester.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVRj7bmbpEH
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Imran grabbed the reins gently. “Easy, buddy. Let’s be friends.”72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXBCh0NEuiG
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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.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdATjy12HCF
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Then came the buck.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZYhopbZbsp
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Then another.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoKzwbPYxXK
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And on the third, Imran flew.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOJr4Hof02E
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He landed in the dirt with a thud and a very ungraceful grunt.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcaO8yZM0fm
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqJ8y7irCNw
Lamija was already sprinting. “Imran!”72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi78yIB3HDD
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN7wrCWFyXg
He rolled onto his back, groaning. “I’m alive.”72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhol2NMLL7q
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She dropped to her knees beside him. “You’re a certified idiot.”72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOSAMzOPIiO
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Caesar trotted to the fence, glared once, and turned his back with a dramatic flick of his tail.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHBfDE16UB8
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ77gB2YUKhf
“Wow,” Imran muttered. “He’s petty.”72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpHOzRSYhOh
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“He gave you ten seconds. That’s a personal record.”72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsIVf5M3fqL
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfuYBvFCKC8
“Tell him I’m open to peace talks.”72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzrcalMrZIS
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Lamija laughed, brushing dust off his hoodie.72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡltNAoaD0i7
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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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