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.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjLuo2x4HkH
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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.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxZzAjIshKr
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Now, it was well past midnight. His stomach growled.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxXguTG5flL
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He opened the fridge and groaned.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd53rRO99M6
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Half a serving of roasted potatoes. A spoonful of lamb. Maybe two zucchini slices if he was being generous.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Lyxdwucfl
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“Really, Lamija?” he muttered. “You left me diplomatic scraps.”103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1qcTkUV5TQ
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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.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ13S17H1f0k
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As he ate standing at the counter, his thoughts drifted.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo3HMVFcEpB
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Selma.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMzCFdKTiws
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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.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC2plYDlouu
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And now there was the matter of telling his mother.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡchlMD0WOqi
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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?103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeu6fRlz7Wi
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He didn’t want permission.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYqO8Ps8VZ2
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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?103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7pgpOCW6NN
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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.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRTWzTFltB1
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Caesar.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCTY5mf9S5K
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The sound tugged at him—equal parts thunder and invitation.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVKkDOjRwYz
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He stepped back into the kitchen and outside onto the patio.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjPoXw0vr4J
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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.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmXQlU2Fu8c
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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.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡevxsmHljAP
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She rode him with utter control—no fear, no hesitation. Her posture perfect. Her arms steady. Her face focused.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkURbblcvDi
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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.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDQONhpqHA8
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They were a sight.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb7ngKdiQ7c
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Imran leaned against the fence, arms crossed, the corners of his mouth tipping upward.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8cEPJA8v4C
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“Would’ve been nice if you left me more than three potatoes,” he called.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhoXllwlwsP
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Lamija’s laugh rang out across the ring. “You came home late. That’s the tax.”103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp3PCm1ywlk
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“You eat like royalty and leave your big brother starving. That feels personal.”103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6VDmwRr0Bi
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She slowed Caesar into a wide circle. “I regret nothing.”103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsJi2rIN6bK
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“How was the meeting?” he asked.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJLI01SZoGq
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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.”103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn7S5g8L09G
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“He’s the one Babo wants?”103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ6PdZoKdHf
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“Apparently. You know how he is. Sees an investment portfolio and forgets common sense.”103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Y2VQ565fj
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Imran chuckled. “That’s our father.”103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡggMh1OX535
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“I told him we’d follow up. Politely.”103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKtvuP7amUy
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Imran leaned further into the fence. “Adil called me.”103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW3DHUYruzh
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Lamija groaned audibly. “What now?”103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmdpdEA8jCY
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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.’”103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHWLgBClbSW
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Lamija grinned despite herself. “Subtlety is a lost art.”103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0NE2NBj14C
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“I already bought it. For Eid. Don’t get cocky.”103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmfREypcrVF
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“I’m just saying—you understood the assignment.”103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8pAR3dIbkC
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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.”103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQTlIsBQ5Qa
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Lamija’s expression turned icy. “Did you tell him where to shove it?”103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTCYSMFw2wN
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“I may have used slightly more colorful language.. If Babo ever heard him talk like that—”103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKMAsy9eQKE
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“He’d light their offices on fire.”103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY7TA1tGZFm
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“And I’d hand him the match.”103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc2Llfxf9DD
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They shared a moment of wordless understanding.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0TUU0xs11i
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Caesar snorted, stomping one foot in disapproval of the break.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEh8qTBqqAd
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Imran scratched his neck. “So... Ayub?”103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDeP58kJGgh
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Lamija exhaled. “Everyone’s worried I’ll break him. Mama. You. Everyone.”103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8x1cifvpdh
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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.”103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHpQO1hDM5v
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“I’m not heartless.”103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuddckuwVcf
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“I know. But you’re curious. And with someone like Ayub, that’s not a neutral emotion.”103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF4JujbDfG1
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Lamija fell quiet, guiding Caesar into another slow pass.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlVtaaytMRG
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“I don’t want to feel guilty for not feeling the same,” she admitted.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7OF7q0jUMa
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“You shouldn’t. You owe no one your affection.”103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFuYg0UiGqz
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“Even if he’s... Ayub?”103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡio4OEpoXjA
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“Even then.”103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDQMloVXxS7
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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.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Dsr29tr3A
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“Still chasing Selma?” Lamija asked after a long beat.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡimS1iv1T5C
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Imran smiled, soft and firm. “I want her, Lamija.”103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnaVVKMM1a3
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“I don’t think she’s ready.”103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRM8VzLSTr4
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“I can wait.”103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5E4J7sCNGB
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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.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXsuSTZOfRO
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Lamija laughed. “He thinks you’ve had enough of my attention.”103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGj2R66jzZg
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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.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡacSzWTXViR
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“See?” Imran said smugly. “We’re building trust.”103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzsDy34YEVE
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Lamija rolled her eyes. “Don’t let it go to your head.”103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrFCVGRRn2T
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“I want to ride him.”103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSizDUpBj8m
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“Absolutely not.”103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeIITVA5RZ5
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“I think we’ve reached an understanding.”103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡENw528hVMP
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“You’ll be broken in half.”103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmuO1O0FmBw
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Imran was already climbing the fence. “Then scatter my ashes with flair.”103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMIpAyw6hgG
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Caesar watched him approach like a king tolerating a jester.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEW4NTH4XJV
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Imran grabbed the reins gently. “Easy, buddy. Let’s be friends.”103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT6cCnBuwJa
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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.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ41AmxNqorx
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Then came the buck.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx9XCGlHNwn
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Then another.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd1jAo9tImA
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And on the third, Imran flew.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJmAfhMcwZz
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He landed in the dirt with a thud and a very ungraceful grunt.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXPugIqESP7
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Lamija was already sprinting. “Imran!”103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX6V45zBc2X
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He rolled onto his back, groaning. “I’m alive.”103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ75nxxEmcM
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She dropped to her knees beside him. “You’re a certified idiot.”103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaTU4iA9MI0
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Caesar trotted to the fence, glared once, and turned his back with a dramatic flick of his tail.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQAxEEtdTnd
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“Wow,” Imran muttered. “He’s petty.”103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH9Ovh6DJjV
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“He gave you ten seconds. That’s a personal record.”103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrY2e2IUmXC
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“Tell him I’m open to peace talks.”103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNQrDkdeJ4P
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Lamija laughed, brushing dust off his hoodie.103Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtGLj1LjZUs
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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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