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.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqQZk3lAgsn
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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.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0DR3Ex4bwq
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Now, it was well past midnight. His stomach growled.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRzGskqA7fA
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He opened the fridge and groaned.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ4kC04AUxH
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Half a serving of roasted potatoes. A spoonful of lamb. Maybe two zucchini slices if he was being generous.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJcCM4Bxjum
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“Really, Lamija?” he muttered. “You left me diplomatic scraps.”116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPrHMNbIsdv
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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.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXdMOYJ21Wk
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As he ate standing at the counter, his thoughts drifted.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3GJAg2OWIh
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Selma.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjO2FKdhzrs
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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.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvykn6hD4S5
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And now there was the matter of telling his mother.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtrQUdTPWCY
116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSybr7lSKJT
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?116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf5WnvHNRPp
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He didn’t want permission.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSFFyes5cQV
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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?116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFNKf2Z9KfO
116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkBJCXp6iUS
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.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhumYUsnxMf
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Caesar.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1gNyvdmZ5U
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The sound tugged at him—equal parts thunder and invitation.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhSNKsZAH2h
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He stepped back into the kitchen and outside onto the patio.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBYGLixPV4p
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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.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd9zL3osDd1
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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.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh8F8NS7nuL
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She rode him with utter control—no fear, no hesitation. Her posture perfect. Her arms steady. Her face focused.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs9lhBGX1UX
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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.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡilG2KudUid
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They were a sight.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhFf7IfmGRj
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Imran leaned against the fence, arms crossed, the corners of his mouth tipping upward.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcKD8CDgAjU
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“Would’ve been nice if you left me more than three potatoes,” he called.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoICi4fT5kd
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Lamija’s laugh rang out across the ring. “You came home late. That’s the tax.”116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1MKZZzHc1d
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“You eat like royalty and leave your big brother starving. That feels personal.”116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKcrFfgQWRN
116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnQs145N6fY
She slowed Caesar into a wide circle. “I regret nothing.”116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjXCaO6KB4S
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“How was the meeting?” he asked.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvoqJIgmUUO
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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.”116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Uler7maAn
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“He’s the one Babo wants?”116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM4HCw9lyzI
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“Apparently. You know how he is. Sees an investment portfolio and forgets common sense.”116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ330KpR2Wub
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Imran chuckled. “That’s our father.”116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkNI2ZvaQl1
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“I told him we’d follow up. Politely.”116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ZM7Q5Na75
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Imran leaned further into the fence. “Adil called me.”116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2efGcM2jeU
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Lamija groaned audibly. “What now?”116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVxn6Hn1zMB
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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.’”116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmVb5azrVnv
116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyaMwR30FqX
Lamija grinned despite herself. “Subtlety is a lost art.”116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHgFpMprDUA
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“I already bought it. For Eid. Don’t get cocky.”116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6nqJlLe2uO
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“I’m just saying—you understood the assignment.”116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdwxqqry8lN
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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.”116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXf9jFEirPU
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Lamija’s expression turned icy. “Did you tell him where to shove it?”116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaKn7WbdCRS
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“I may have used slightly more colorful language.. If Babo ever heard him talk like that—”116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ24LAtvjWQT
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“He’d light their offices on fire.”116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpnkmgqCrGU
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“And I’d hand him the match.”116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgxstqcihPF
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They shared a moment of wordless understanding.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUBIcKkQmKF
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Caesar snorted, stomping one foot in disapproval of the break.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuHk8We4Y3d
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Imran scratched his neck. “So... Ayub?”116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4KK62c4PAK
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Lamija exhaled. “Everyone’s worried I’ll break him. Mama. You. Everyone.”116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTG9R14Zke9
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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.”116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr69gq4Zlpv
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“I’m not heartless.”116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBrpkgsbyQN
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“I know. But you’re curious. And with someone like Ayub, that’s not a neutral emotion.”116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS0qmLDPf7u
116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUiOpodgsC0
Lamija fell quiet, guiding Caesar into another slow pass.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw7IXZWZd3C
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“I don’t want to feel guilty for not feeling the same,” she admitted.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLTswlyUqYN
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“You shouldn’t. You owe no one your affection.”116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6IeYzPP5IF
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“Even if he’s... Ayub?”116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnTHURQJGKQ
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“Even then.”116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3E4w5JUeF8
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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.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7fVXetcL1U
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“Still chasing Selma?” Lamija asked after a long beat.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoTbKkBPkyV
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Imran smiled, soft and firm. “I want her, Lamija.”116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeeUMXSvWkZ
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“I don’t think she’s ready.”116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Yrx4PVbkt
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“I can wait.”116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgJZa3hQNmw
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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.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy2ASOKygKk
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Lamija laughed. “He thinks you’ve had enough of my attention.”116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN0ahWsEsiH
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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.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4DHzAGZTeq
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“See?” Imran said smugly. “We’re building trust.”116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCcWRpFvKo3
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Lamija rolled her eyes. “Don’t let it go to your head.”116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcUkTaabiFw
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“I want to ride him.”116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHk4BYK6pjF
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“Absolutely not.”116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXXd0VnM5m4
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“I think we’ve reached an understanding.”116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1XuAX723RY
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“You’ll be broken in half.”116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIKTITAdxmu
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Imran was already climbing the fence. “Then scatter my ashes with flair.”116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCayzsQeLMm
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Caesar watched him approach like a king tolerating a jester.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtR6qYJuBDr
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Imran grabbed the reins gently. “Easy, buddy. Let’s be friends.”116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOVwj1lWdHe
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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.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ67OeJveF5z
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Then came the buck.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIyWg3Z8Czm
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Then another.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ02kCPXvBUe
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And on the third, Imran flew.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfiIlvX1UIV
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He landed in the dirt with a thud and a very ungraceful grunt.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlYmCXIf59O
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Lamija was already sprinting. “Imran!”116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxuG9g2rDbP
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He rolled onto his back, groaning. “I’m alive.”116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsunFL14ya1
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She dropped to her knees beside him. “You’re a certified idiot.”116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBG0TXdiNm8
116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzIGMrd3oAA
Caesar trotted to the fence, glared once, and turned his back with a dramatic flick of his tail.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1m8TLKk3Nq
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“Wow,” Imran muttered. “He’s petty.”116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5oQYI0kpdt
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“He gave you ten seconds. That’s a personal record.”116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrPVF2VuV49
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“Tell him I’m open to peace talks.”116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyHsaJt4iPn
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Lamija laughed, brushing dust off his hoodie.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡimTeNg8JgM
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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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