My Baby's Daddy

Zacharias was met with nothing but ruins. All the houses had been destroyed. If Shirley were really here, she’d be buried six feet under.

“Shirley? Shirley!” he shouted, his voice filled with despair. As he fell to his knees, his mind became a blank canvas.

Imogen had come down as well. She stood around, watching, her heart filled with delight. She rejoiced in her heart, muttering, Finally, the woman I hate the most is dead, and I killed all the kidnappers. There’s nothing to worry about anymore. However, a familiar voice interrupted her thoughts. “Zacharias.” That voice was salvation for Zacharias. He turned and spotted a slender figure emerging through the smoke-filled surroundings-it was Shirley. She had survived. Tears welled up in his eyes, and the sight of her resurrected his cold, lifeless heart. “Shir!” He hurried toward her.

Shirley, too, ran to meet him, and amidst the swirling smoke, they embraced.

Imogen watched, her eyes wide. She couldn’t believe Shirley had escaped instead of dying in the explosion.

warmth could affirm that everything around him was still real. She smiled. “I’m sorry for worrying you. I got out before that sh*tstorm went

panic seized Imogen. Unsure if the kidnappers had exposed her involvement, she wondered, Could she have found out I was involved too? Anxious, Imogen observed Shirley, who seemed normal, but Imogen felt the ominous ticking of a bomb in her

suffocated by the hug, Shirley

Look at him, crying. They say men only cry when their hearts are shattered. When she had seen him earlier, kneeling and crying, she couldn’t help but empathize with him. She made a silent vow never to cause

with a still-swollen cheek, suggested, “This isn’t the

to the hotel quickly.” Finally releasing her from the hug, Zacharias held onto her hand tightly, unwilling to let her

swollen cheek. Concerned, she said, “Mr. Barlowe, you’re hurt.” Roy quickly explained,