My Baby's Daddy

Chapter 1 A Night of Absurdities

“Anastasia, help! I’ve been molested at the club!”

The desperate and helpless sound of her best friend’s voice was the only thing on Anastasia Tillman’s mind as she rushed over to the clubhouse.

Room 808. Anastasia looked up at the number plaque on the door of the private room. It was the same room number that her best friend, Hayley Seymour, had texted her. Without another thought, she barged through the door to save her friend.

When the door swung open under her hand, she was greeted by the darkness within. Suddenly, a strong hand clasped around her wrist and dragged her into the dark room, followed by a loud thud as the door slammed shut.

“Hey—who are you, and what do you want?!” Anastasia shrieked, her eyes darting around wildly as she tried to make out her surroundings.

“Settle down, and I’ll treat you well.” A man’s deep and husky voice spoke close to her ear.

The next second, Anastasia was unceremoniously tossed onto the couch, and before she could scramble to her feet, a lean and strong body pinned her down.

She let out a muffled cry when a pair of lips that tasted like peppermint captured hers.

The man on top of her felt burning hot to the touch. A sense of hopelessness brought tears to her eyes as she tried to struggle against the man, but in the end, she could do nothing but endure the man’s ferocity.

An hour later, Anastasia staggered out of the room, looking disheveled. She had only just been through a nightmare, but that didn’t distract her from worrying about her best friend’s safety.

She was just about to call Hayley’s number when she saw a group of men and women walking out the side door. Under the lights, she instantly recognized the two of the women in the group.

One happened to be Hayley, her best friend who had cried for help on the phone earlier, and the other was Anastasia’s stepsister, Erica Tillman. The two girls walked side by side with their arms linked, as if they were the closest of friends.

Shock and rage colored Anastasia’s features when she saw them. “Stop right there, Hayley!” she called out loudly over the distance as her fists clenched tightly at her sides.

Upon hearing this, Hayley and Erica swiveled around to face her. Anastasia glowered at them, ashen-faced as she demanded of Hayley, “Why would you lie to me?!”

Hayley smirked. “It’s not my fault that you’re always so gullible, Anastasia.”

have a good time with that gigolo back there?” Erica asked in a sing-song

set her up. The chastity she had held dear for

Anastasia? I’ve been living in your shadow ever since we met! I hate you,

other hand, swiftly interjected by mocking, “I have the proof I need to show Dad that you’ve been pimping yourself for money at the club. It won’t be

that she swayed. Her body was in tatters after the ordeal she had been through, and the

don’t want to be seen with trash, do we?” With her arm looped through

at the Tillman Residence, a low male voice yelled out in rage, “You became an escort for money just because I wouldn’t let you

“Dad, I didn’t—”

shameless lengths? Did we starve you, or did we deprive you of anything? I can’t believe you would pimp yourself to random strangers in a filthy clubhouse! For your sake, I

didn’t do it. I—” Anastasia

see. Get out of this home right now! I will

staircase landing, Erica watched this scene play out as she leaned against the banister with her chin propped on her hand. Everything was going exactly the way she had planned. In a matter of minutes, Anastasia was going to be cast out of the house and wander around like

her father’s face. She wordlessly rose from her seat and

With her arms crossed haughtily in front of her chest, the younger girl sneered, “Get out of here! Don’t linger

she

in Anastasia’s eyes, Erica leaned forward. “What, do you want to slap me or something?” She turned her cheek

down

just hit me! Mom, Dad—Anastasia

arms and cried up the stairwell, “How dare you strike my daughter, Anastasia!

the red imprints on Erica’s cheek, and he had never been more disappointed in his

sobbed as she burrowed into her father’s arms, taking in exaggerated deep breaths like she

out of here, Anastasia!” Francis roared up the

up her things, Anastasia grabbed her passport and went down the stairs. Her heart grew stone-cold when she saw how

she indeed had no place in his heart. Francis had only heard Erica’s side of the story instead

mother had passed, she had spent her years in this home living like an outsider, for her father had

about her husband’s extra-marital affairs, not even in

come back to this