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.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡujs8iHy4tx
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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.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQj0SVUx1L6
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Now, it was well past midnight. His stomach growled.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSyJ1IANUaZ
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He opened the fridge and groaned.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKGiibon8a2
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Half a serving of roasted potatoes. A spoonful of lamb. Maybe two zucchini slices if he was being generous.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1bU6wHueFR
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“Really, Lamija?” he muttered. “You left me diplomatic scraps.”84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBGjIHipYMa
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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.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPitmtxPG5K
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As he ate standing at the counter, his thoughts drifted.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsNapB39YGz
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Selma.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoSFPvIKJGk
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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.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN4KTCcUGeQ
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And now there was the matter of telling his mother.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1iEGJEFr34
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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?84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGEWxDEXcgI
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He didn’t want permission.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFHFec7fMuC
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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?84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8O0dqqeeg0
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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.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw5IC23H57w
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Caesar.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuvTePVszrm
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The sound tugged at him—equal parts thunder and invitation.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqj82YpQey1
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He stepped back into the kitchen and outside onto the patio.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsAXseUd4PQ
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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.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsHQPSNpBaZ
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0t3xK6HfPN
In the ring, under the low golden wash of floodlights, Lamija and Caesar moved like they were born from the same force.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi6KSXXNHPE
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8tvl027Vcz
She rode him with utter control—no fear, no hesitation. Her posture perfect. Her arms steady. Her face focused.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh5g7V3gwWx
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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.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJWkBtTfejp
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They were a sight.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkDl9Bn90ms
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Imran leaned against the fence, arms crossed, the corners of his mouth tipping upward.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb8RlpzIkQy
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“Would’ve been nice if you left me more than three potatoes,” he called.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEUyB0ckAGV
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Lamija’s laugh rang out across the ring. “You came home late. That’s the tax.”84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlMylTXkoZB
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“You eat like royalty and leave your big brother starving. That feels personal.”84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMiuQwLN8Vz
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLziQmWRvOb
She slowed Caesar into a wide circle. “I regret nothing.”84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ7z6KyOzV6
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“How was the meeting?” he asked.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh36sqisNna
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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.”84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Y38ArCNTE
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“He’s the one Babo wants?”84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPFOEKlGQZE
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8RgjhX28DP
“Apparently. You know how he is. Sees an investment portfolio and forgets common sense.”84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqAbVqT7WGX
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnAfNg6F7iO
Imran chuckled. “That’s our father.”84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW1i8Yz9ou4
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“I told him we’d follow up. Politely.”84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSsa7HIX9HT
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqxYval5GTL
Imran leaned further into the fence. “Adil called me.”84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQp4EvVoz7S
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Lamija groaned audibly. “What now?”84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIcHmbzp5px
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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.’”84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3aOVvJRzd4
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAz4bBIUVHN
Lamija grinned despite herself. “Subtlety is a lost art.”84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNYrRLjoGz4
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“I already bought it. For Eid. Don’t get cocky.”84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhwPnDA7Mr9
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“I’m just saying—you understood the assignment.”84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1M1uV6c2Z6
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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.”84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGfbPuXm6LE
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8dj4qXU2OP
Lamija’s expression turned icy. “Did you tell him where to shove it?”84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJk78WcP4Y1
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzCPyNHnlRk
“I may have used slightly more colorful language.. If Babo ever heard him talk like that—”84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIE68ucB6G1
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“He’d light their offices on fire.”84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu72GJD7MGz
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“And I’d hand him the match.”84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx8f21LlmoD
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They shared a moment of wordless understanding.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3RBrgMTomJ
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Caesar snorted, stomping one foot in disapproval of the break.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcpPWgwlvya
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLhSA3yhPo8
Imran scratched his neck. “So... Ayub?”84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBV3TvVYfOW
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Lamija exhaled. “Everyone’s worried I’ll break him. Mama. You. Everyone.”84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwU1KWhH5ps
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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.”84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFvvl3roEDu
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“I’m not heartless.”84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbng41QtuJ7
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“I know. But you’re curious. And with someone like Ayub, that’s not a neutral emotion.”84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6gqM0FwwSn
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcyE7XPVUmK
Lamija fell quiet, guiding Caesar into another slow pass.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu1ZeiXLbq5
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“I don’t want to feel guilty for not feeling the same,” she admitted.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlNhS5ZKr8j
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“You shouldn’t. You owe no one your affection.”84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwrloeZfT5F
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“Even if he’s... Ayub?”84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1SFNpunpwL
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“Even then.”84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9DxubPTpOv
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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.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡplJzXW1WJ3
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“Still chasing Selma?” Lamija asked after a long beat.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡngZIpKHzie
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Imran smiled, soft and firm. “I want her, Lamija.”84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtdY8Nz0kkV
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFLy7Es3e1h
“I don’t think she’s ready.”84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy7dZ0avIZm
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“I can wait.”84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg8CdvKTEOJ
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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.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡagKe2AiNlY
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Lamija laughed. “He thinks you’ve had enough of my attention.”84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCnXin1bIGA
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA6VNVUnQ6D
Imran reached over the fence to scratch Caesar behind the ear. The stallion flared his nostrils, huffed, and—shockingly—leaned into it.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnKlnAwONjL
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“See?” Imran said smugly. “We’re building trust.”84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLemk4AREuU
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Lamija rolled her eyes. “Don’t let it go to your head.”84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpxjs9GL9Ju
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“I want to ride him.”84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtX0I52bxbL
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“Absolutely not.”84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyZJOCteMjG
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“I think we’ve reached an understanding.”84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvUw6tOpJzt
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡClWIahzRel
“You’ll be broken in half.”84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOmGfD9Zqg9
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Imran was already climbing the fence. “Then scatter my ashes with flair.”84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIqD7hwcdsI
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Caesar watched him approach like a king tolerating a jester.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvcAOgkEf5m
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Imran grabbed the reins gently. “Easy, buddy. Let’s be friends.”84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaFY8GwiCFe
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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.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ7XciMQFOb
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Then came the buck.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHWusbOkSnk
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Then another.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvwvsIDH1v2
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And on the third, Imran flew.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLMsLI3SKwZ
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He landed in the dirt with a thud and a very ungraceful grunt.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhlfKMkNHYS
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Lamija was already sprinting. “Imran!”84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMnpkkYYQRD
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzmNkDK0ueN
He rolled onto his back, groaning. “I’m alive.”84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeJ39v33lJm
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She dropped to her knees beside him. “You’re a certified idiot.”84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlsaEFxtIot
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Caesar trotted to the fence, glared once, and turned his back with a dramatic flick of his tail.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Yg1IPeGMd
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“Wow,” Imran muttered. “He’s petty.”84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBqWKbvsTw8
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“He gave you ten seconds. That’s a personal record.”84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVH99uErft7
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmP8iEC91rg
“Tell him I’m open to peace talks.”84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB0DruR0K7L
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzvGI65b9MX
Lamija laughed, brushing dust off his hoodie.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFZ6L0waRtA
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4DTi802hos
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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