The Outcast's Rebirth

CHAPTER 22: The Weight Of Betrayal

Five Days Later...

Winston had come back again, his towering figure entering the dimly lit room. Kyzzu sat quietly by the hearth, his son nestled in his arms, nursing.

Amani, being always the busy woman, was outside, washing their clothes. The moment Winston's familiar presence filled the space, a wave of discomfort washed over Kyzzu. He felt vulnerable, almost embarrassed to be seen in such an intimate moment, but there was little he could do.

His heart beat faster as Winston moved closer, and Kyzzu instinctively held his son a bit tighter, as though seeking some kind of shield.

It wasn't just Winston's size or the authority he carried with him-it was the weight of their shared history that left Kyzzu feeling exposed. As he finished feeding the child, Kyzzu glanced up at Winston, his blue eyes catching the light for just a second before he wordlessly handed the boy over to his father.

Winston took his son with surprising gentleness, cradling the small body against his broad chest. The three-week-old, Kazi, gazed up at Winston with wide, curious eyes, his tiny hands reaching up to grasp at the air.

His light caramel-colored skin, a soft blend of Kyzzu's and Winston's tones, shimmered in the firelight. His hair, already thick with semi-tight curls, framed his little head like a crown. Anyone could see, even at this young age, that he was Winston's son.

Kyzzu watched them from a distance, his mind swirling with conflicting emotions. The sight of Winston, the white man who had turned his life upside down, holding the child they'd created together was surreal.

The room seemed to grow smaller as Winston played with Kazi, bouncing him gently in his arms, his deep voice rumbling through the air as he murmured soft words. Kazi giggled, a sweet, melodic sound that echoed off the walls, his eyes following his father's every move with delight.

For a moment, Kyzzu felt a warmth bloom in his chest-a softness that almost made him forget the tangled web of emotions that kept him tethered to this place. But it didn't last long. His gaze dropped to the floor as the weight of reality pressed down on him.

He had no say in this life, in the child he was raising or the man who had marked him. The lines between freedom and captivity blurred every time Winston came close.

After a while, Kazi grew tired, his giggles fading into sleepy murmurs. Winston leaned down and placed the baby back in Kyzzu's arms. The child snuggled close to his mother, his tiny fist gripping Kyzzu's shirt as he drifted off into slumber.

Winston straightened, his gaze lingering on Kyzzu for a moment longer than usual. Kyzzu felt the heat rise to his face, and to his horror, he realized he was blushing.

He quickly averted his gaze, reprimanding himself inwardly for reacting in such a way. What are you doing? he scolded himself silently in his language.

You're not some naive child. Don't let him affect you like this. His darker skin fortunately hid the worst of his embarrassment, but he still felt the flush of warmth creeping up his neck.

Winston, seemingly unaware of the turmoil running through Kyzzu's mind, gave a nod before turning to leave.

His broad back, muscled and imposing, filled the doorway as he stepped outside, his boots crunching softly on the dirt floor. Kyzzu watched him go, his heart still racing from emotions he couldn't fully comprehend.

Once the door closed behind Winston, Kyzzu let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. His mind warred with itself. On one hand, he despised the control Winston held over him.