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.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8X5npzTSof
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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.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl3IbClpv4z
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Now, it was well past midnight. His stomach growled.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkoB64zgBRG
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He opened the fridge and groaned.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCq5Oy5ZLdt
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Half a serving of roasted potatoes. A spoonful of lamb. Maybe two zucchini slices if he was being generous.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCrGpyXDHy9
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“Really, Lamija?” he muttered. “You left me diplomatic scraps.”104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1UaqYNx6kR
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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.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTb6NLOijqU
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As he ate standing at the counter, his thoughts drifted.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCP4HKPykUB
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Selma.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA2qyVfIeym
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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.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5fy3pJxClj
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And now there was the matter of telling his mother.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM8IHqXysPr
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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?104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ytOcTgzb6
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He didn’t want permission.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSHKgY8DB4c
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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?104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmW3kQOzqzF
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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.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwGCQGwfzKU
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Caesar.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkGMLaJZa7z
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The sound tugged at him—equal parts thunder and invitation.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNsDvRE1Jzr
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He stepped back into the kitchen and outside onto the patio.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3gtevOUAdu
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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.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLVxNE2DUkc
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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.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvdc2geuzYE
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She rode him with utter control—no fear, no hesitation. Her posture perfect. Her arms steady. Her face focused.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxEQhvJqLRN
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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.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡED11xkEg4W
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They were a sight.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfHnKTMrqLm
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Imran leaned against the fence, arms crossed, the corners of his mouth tipping upward.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNzDeNAL5Xd
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“Would’ve been nice if you left me more than three potatoes,” he called.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlokYMDDv75
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Lamija’s laugh rang out across the ring. “You came home late. That’s the tax.”104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbQRnTtdSMz
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“You eat like royalty and leave your big brother starving. That feels personal.”104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSLs2JiI7JZ
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She slowed Caesar into a wide circle. “I regret nothing.”104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHoozrGinFJ
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“How was the meeting?” he asked.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxu2QhsuaCO
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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.”104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhM3thV7EBy
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“He’s the one Babo wants?”104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjBGjn5IDar
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“Apparently. You know how he is. Sees an investment portfolio and forgets common sense.”104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡORx25wukXV
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Imran chuckled. “That’s our father.”104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT3QF3VpxCK
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“I told him we’d follow up. Politely.”104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ40HSNGM7N
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Imran leaned further into the fence. “Adil called me.”104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDCr8LPsIGl
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Lamija groaned audibly. “What now?”104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaluI6f2vgc
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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.’”104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKQM66uFQpk
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Lamija grinned despite herself. “Subtlety is a lost art.”104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCPWFzAK5FI
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“I already bought it. For Eid. Don’t get cocky.”104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo2W9L6wdtU
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“I’m just saying—you understood the assignment.”104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk1lJHtdlBV
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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.”104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK9P0EHhgLQ
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Lamija’s expression turned icy. “Did you tell him where to shove it?”104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡegQ5TuO0RL
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“I may have used slightly more colorful language.. If Babo ever heard him talk like that—”104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN7Ed7uIUjR
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“He’d light their offices on fire.”104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwdTkQIKbHi
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“And I’d hand him the match.”104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHTKNLJLvd4
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They shared a moment of wordless understanding.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5SHHOS97FY
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Caesar snorted, stomping one foot in disapproval of the break.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8R8RWWm9aB
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Imran scratched his neck. “So... Ayub?”104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkZEmu0jwGZ
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Lamija exhaled. “Everyone’s worried I’ll break him. Mama. You. Everyone.”104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAGyeKvXnjp
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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.”104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG30nGB90Sd
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“I’m not heartless.”104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe1eBIkfYPE
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“I know. But you’re curious. And with someone like Ayub, that’s not a neutral emotion.”104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsjTCaQ65uu
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Lamija fell quiet, guiding Caesar into another slow pass.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe5uR28YnYN
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“I don’t want to feel guilty for not feeling the same,” she admitted.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTSc4yBAinM
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“You shouldn’t. You owe no one your affection.”104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIggemBEUSg
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“Even if he’s... Ayub?”104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9EZ5vGAEye
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“Even then.”104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeOktf0ZEIl
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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.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2HVvvjTo2l
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“Still chasing Selma?” Lamija asked after a long beat.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY6eCWeq4QL
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Imran smiled, soft and firm. “I want her, Lamija.”104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZSzWicozHR
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“I don’t think she’s ready.”104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi907ppUyTA
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“I can wait.”104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV0SZKDCSux
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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.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo3omgpHTtQ
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Lamija laughed. “He thinks you’ve had enough of my attention.”104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjuOLJ94c3V
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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.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSxdUirptjc
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“See?” Imran said smugly. “We’re building trust.”104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxPSZ7B5Ws
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Lamija rolled her eyes. “Don’t let it go to your head.”104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBhqw7ZiGyA
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“I want to ride him.”104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv8xznLfSJu
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“Absolutely not.”104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbPYzXsm1lH
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“I think we’ve reached an understanding.”104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTNtn7rG76n
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“You’ll be broken in half.”104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi0ocTnfyiJ
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Imran was already climbing the fence. “Then scatter my ashes with flair.”104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXaHLLjXsoO
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Caesar watched him approach like a king tolerating a jester.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeYwTJfSMWB
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Imran grabbed the reins gently. “Easy, buddy. Let’s be friends.”104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcsKFHePJP6
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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.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdidVtkVRSW
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Then came the buck.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh8PwrcWbxI
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Then another.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡytRiKygZMj
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And on the third, Imran flew.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxoZj5myslR
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He landed in the dirt with a thud and a very ungraceful grunt.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx24G5cqjqA
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Lamija was already sprinting. “Imran!”104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxWmQL0vFKO
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He rolled onto his back, groaning. “I’m alive.”104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSt3ZJ078Is
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She dropped to her knees beside him. “You’re a certified idiot.”104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqXjEkjoU8q
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Caesar trotted to the fence, glared once, and turned his back with a dramatic flick of his tail.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEnJ9JnRMph
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“Wow,” Imran muttered. “He’s petty.”104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1vRbXg4o6l
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“He gave you ten seconds. That’s a personal record.”104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGnBke1z8df
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“Tell him I’m open to peace talks.”104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoumYy7gqIB
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Lamija laughed, brushing dust off his hoodie.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡItCuTiqWEG
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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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