Chapter 5

AFTER FOUR YEARS

Braylon steps off the airplane, holding a little kid in his arms, as he waits to check out. Someone is urging him to take the luggage.

“Braylon... Why are you moving like a snail? When are you going to get our luggage?” Zaneta shouts, causing Braylon to glare at her. He’s no longer the college student they remember. In the past four years, he has transformed, now boasting a masculine body, sharp eyes, and a charming smile. Dressed in a suit, he exudes a professional look.

“If you want the luggage, then come and get it yourself. Don't rush me, okay? I’m holding Alan. How can I manage the luggage too?” Braylon rolls his eyes. Alan, with his obsidian black hair, green hazel eyes, and heavy eyelids, looks every bit the gorgeous child. Braylon, the classic doting dad, has clearly passed on his genes to Alan.

Braylon is a nonbinary person. Until he got pregnant with Alan, he didn't fully understand his gender identity. At first, he was shocked by the pregnancy.

This revelation was difficult, as society often struggles with the concept of men bearing children. Braylon’s experience is a sensitive topic, sometimes crudely referred to as something like "Trapped Bodies Get Sliced Up." The reality that men can also carry babies is hard for many to accept.

Braylon went abroad for his studies, but the pregnancy complicated everything. He managed to attend his entrance exam and got into the university with top marks, but regular classes were out of the question.

He studied while staying inside, taking care of himself. Zaneta Battaney, his cousin who is three years older and a doctor in the city where Braylon enrolled, supported him throughout this challenging time.

And she was the one who helped him with his pregnancy when he was abroad. She knew about his condition and offered unwavering support.

The situation was shocking: Braylon had a one-night stand with his best friend, who had been his secret crush for three years, and got pregnant with his child. It felt like something out of a novel, but it became a reality in his life.

He felt safer abroad during his pregnancy than he would have in his native country. If he had stayed home, everyone would have known about his condition, which would have caused a scandal.

As the young master of the Rhys family, Braylon knew that his family’s reputation would be at risk. He didn't want to bring trouble upon them, so he kept his pregnancy a secret from everyone except Zaneta, his cousin and the only person he truly trusted.

Zaneta looked out for him. It’s a small gesture, but Braylon never felt entirely comfortable being pregnant while studying. He wasn't ashamed of being pregnant even though he is a man.

Alan was sleeping in his arms as Braylon was engulfed by thoughts. What will his father say when he sees Alan? Will he encounter Eryx?

In these four years, Braylon didn't contact Eryx, and Eryx didn't reach out to him either. Braylon felt guilty for loving his best friend. He didn't want to ruin their relationship, but it ended up with him having sex with Eryx.

Society would look down on Eryx if he accepted Braylon's love for him. Even though the law supports homosexuality, people in society often view it with disgust. They don't try to understand the feelings involved. Whether the feelings are for a woman or a man, it's still their own decision and their life.

Loving someone of the same gender isn't disgusting.

People judge them for their activities and label them as inhuman.

Suddenly, a hand touched his shoulder, snapping him out of his thoughts.

“Why are you always spacing out, Braylon? Do you want to stay at the airport?” Zaneta raised her eyebrows.

“I’m sorry, sis. I was lost in my thoughts,” Braylon smiled awkwardly.

“You brat... You’re in public and still lost in thoughts,” Zaneta scolded him as he continued to smile awkwardly. Zaneta sighed deeply. Since he got pregnant, he was always like that: lost in thoughts, not focusing on his studies, not interacting with anyone, constantly thinking about something, and sometimes crying for no reason.

Zaneta was worried. After all, he is her little brother. After checking out from the airport, they hopped into a cab. While traveling, Braylon kept silent.

“Braylon... Are you going to see your father?” she looked at him. He shook his head no. She looked at him with a questioning look.

“I don't know how to face him. What will he think if I go there with Alan? I don't dare to face him at all,” Braylon said, caressing Alan's hair.

“Then where are you going to stay? Don't tell me you’re going to squeeze in with me,” Zaneta raised her eyebrows.

“No, sis. I already arranged an apartment for us before we came here. After all, I can't bother you, right?” he chuckled.

Zaneta stayed silent.

“And one more thing... from tomorrow onwards, I have work. So can you please take care of Alan? I didn't apply for daycare either. I don't know what to do,” he pleaded with her.

“I thought you were a good brat, but look at you. You’re always making me work for you. You damn brat,” she said, annoyed.

“I’m sorry, sis. I have no other choice other than that. Please...” He made a pitiful face.

She sighed heavily. “Okay... I’ll take him with me to the hospital. There’s a place for children whose parents are busy with their work.”

“Thank you, sis!”

As he thanked her, she rolled her eyes again. Despite appearing annoyed, she couldn't bear to see Braylon suffer alone. Even though he was her cousin, she cared for him like a biological brother.

Braylon instructed the driver to his apartment's address after dropping Zaneta off. Arriving at the apartment, Alan woke up from his sleep.

“Where are we, Dad?” Alan asked, looking around curiously. It was a new place for him.

“We're going to live here, baby. This is our home,” Braylon replied, patting Alan gently. Alan squirmed out of Braylon's arms and began exploring the room.

“Don't run, or you might fall,” Braylon cautioned, but Alan seemed uninterested in listening. Despite resembling Braylon physically, Alan's habits and mannerisms often reminded Braylon of Eryx. Sometimes, he wondered if Alan was more like Eryx than himself.

Braylon tidied up the room and unpacked their belongings in the spacious apartment. It was well-suited for the two of them. Realizing there were no groceries or cooking essentials, he decided to head out and purchase them.

“Alan, I'm going out to buy some things. Do you want to come or stay here?” Braylon called out from the doorway.

“No, Dad. I'll stay here. You can go,” Alan shouted back from the room, engrossed in playing video games on his mobile. Braylon had bought the phone for Alan's safety, though he sometimes felt guilty about relying on it for a three-year-old. He blamed himself for not being strong enough to care for his son without such devices.

Braylon left the apartment and headed to the supermarket. He picked up the essentials they needed, not wanting to buy too much but ensuring it was enough for both of them.