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.

Zacharias ruffled Shirley’s hair, and he kissed her dust-covered cheek. Only her 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 down.” He hugged her tightly, and this time, he would not let her

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

feeling suffocated by the hug, Shirley sensed

tears, she thought, He must have believed I was gone. Look at him, crying. They say men only cry when their hearts are shattered. When she had

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

releasing her from the hug, Zacharias held onto her

“Mr. Barlowe, you’re hurt.” Roy quickly explained, “It’s nothing. I tripped.” “He