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.127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcidSX5n3h0
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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.127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYpRX5jqRNm
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Now, it was well past midnight. His stomach growled.127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb8EBTYQlkz
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He opened the fridge and groaned.127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡStolRJpr21
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Half a serving of roasted potatoes. A spoonful of lamb. Maybe two zucchini slices if he was being generous.127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ84zNkGLY3F
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“Really, Lamija?” he muttered. “You left me diplomatic scraps.”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ47vprqK4N
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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.127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD6hiATmr2c
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As he ate standing at the counter, his thoughts drifted.127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo9GpFBYiFn
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Selma.127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ73AHAFiIES
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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.127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM6FTqPOU6p
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And now there was the matter of telling his mother.127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0te4kMpGpn
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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?127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzcNkTdQ7Cv
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He didn’t want permission.127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWyneIJs9Vy
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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?127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2NSzfItyiv
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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.127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ATmweFIgz
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Caesar.127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvErtSpPC1x
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The sound tugged at him—equal parts thunder and invitation.127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxU23iYj9sp
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He stepped back into the kitchen and outside onto the patio.127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY8CY6pXdG8
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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.127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRs3hLQZpi3
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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.127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFj1o8nTRhv
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She rode him with utter control—no fear, no hesitation. Her posture perfect. Her arms steady. Her face focused.127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaCvepqIxTR
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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.127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlmyGLihIaC
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They were a sight.127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWNH5EcXlVY
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Imran leaned against the fence, arms crossed, the corners of his mouth tipping upward.127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPgS2znB3c3
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“Would’ve been nice if you left me more than three potatoes,” he called.127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡscULKUQMqg
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Lamija’s laugh rang out across the ring. “You came home late. That’s the tax.”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXmYy4Itiaw
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“You eat like royalty and leave your big brother starving. That feels personal.”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc9gf7PhecR
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She slowed Caesar into a wide circle. “I regret nothing.”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY5I1LkXfgh
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“How was the meeting?” he asked.127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX8YrhswD5S
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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.”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNFrEVh3mHe
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“He’s the one Babo wants?”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQK51jyKRw
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“Apparently. You know how he is. Sees an investment portfolio and forgets common sense.”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPToBZHgyJ7
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Imran chuckled. “That’s our father.”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC7TXGyOEug
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“I told him we’d follow up. Politely.”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZXiRn0G2pa
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Imran leaned further into the fence. “Adil called me.”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlqj2LHL1xA
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Lamija groaned audibly. “What now?”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhZ2aSHyzQU
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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.’”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzw8mUlzsxq
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Lamija grinned despite herself. “Subtlety is a lost art.”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTCrUXxhKa3
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“I already bought it. For Eid. Don’t get cocky.”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1iN8nlvtfa
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“I’m just saying—you understood the assignment.”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZcpfVaryVq
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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.”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzg2CU7HOMg
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Lamija’s expression turned icy. “Did you tell him where to shove it?”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxVSHxR7RFJ
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“I may have used slightly more colorful language.. If Babo ever heard him talk like that—”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBIhnXJH2yZ
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“He’d light their offices on fire.”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtMOFSgr8Oc
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“And I’d hand him the match.”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwQAo5pUaMa
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They shared a moment of wordless understanding.127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdUTI9yRBtX
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Caesar snorted, stomping one foot in disapproval of the break.127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡytHtcFLcux
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Imran scratched his neck. “So... Ayub?”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoXfnHt7BVO
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Lamija exhaled. “Everyone’s worried I’ll break him. Mama. You. Everyone.”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPVsSM2VU9q
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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.”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRUdC2FfU0e
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“I’m not heartless.”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ63JHo9FLM5
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“I know. But you’re curious. And with someone like Ayub, that’s not a neutral emotion.”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAC3NmJ5ZP9
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Lamija fell quiet, guiding Caesar into another slow pass.127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYbY5NONlyU
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“I don’t want to feel guilty for not feeling the same,” she admitted.127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFuc9hdDowI
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“You shouldn’t. You owe no one your affection.”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbITB0VIAWV
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“Even if he’s... Ayub?”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkHCuqgt0hl
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“Even then.”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlzXhgpPAMh
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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.127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaUqbufd4vj
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“Still chasing Selma?” Lamija asked after a long beat.127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaDEt9yZlzd
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Imran smiled, soft and firm. “I want her, Lamija.”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKROQCybyLM
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“I don’t think she’s ready.”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ68dAL5lzW7
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“I can wait.”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡowjNUfHTIx
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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.127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyfdaW8hJu2
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Lamija laughed. “He thinks you’ve had enough of my attention.”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnRuM5KR8Fb
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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.127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs235zQBcOd
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“See?” Imran said smugly. “We’re building trust.”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5IMlaide2N
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Lamija rolled her eyes. “Don’t let it go to your head.”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgNbRvp6kbm
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“I want to ride him.”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn8NNSRgUBO
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“Absolutely not.”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgJdBVKi2Go
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“I think we’ve reached an understanding.”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6F1hjZeuvd
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“You’ll be broken in half.”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh6TdO2fprb
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Imran was already climbing the fence. “Then scatter my ashes with flair.”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLBDIHTk3rh
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Caesar watched him approach like a king tolerating a jester.127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHDlbnu9T28
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Imran grabbed the reins gently. “Easy, buddy. Let’s be friends.”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqsw2jwGQwX
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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.127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0G5FDKVYtm
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Then came the buck.127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4wzC7sOqvG
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Then another.127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa1jhZ2rkzk
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And on the third, Imran flew.127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvockUdZsRQ
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He landed in the dirt with a thud and a very ungraceful grunt.127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKTssbDG2KK
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Lamija was already sprinting. “Imran!”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpMbQ6zzCYA
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He rolled onto his back, groaning. “I’m alive.”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvt7Gs21f5w
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She dropped to her knees beside him. “You’re a certified idiot.”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHJNuDKIpKF
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Caesar trotted to the fence, glared once, and turned his back with a dramatic flick of his tail.127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxYCfFTDkHy
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“Wow,” Imran muttered. “He’s petty.”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Tu6GMRSim
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“He gave you ten seconds. That’s a personal record.”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC85qgg84hd
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“Tell him I’m open to peace talks.”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1BEISrdXce
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Lamija laughed, brushing dust off his hoodie.127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQJeg7Qvonh
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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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