My Baby’s Daddy

“Go to sleep! Let’s stop talking.” Shirley got up to pour herself a cup of tea. Zacharias observed her moving around the room, and gradually, his heavy eyelids closed as he drifted off to sleep.

She returned with her tea and found him already asleep. She tried to be as quiet as possible to avoid waking him.

After Zacharias fell asleep, a few beads of sweat formed on his forehead. Shirley thought it might be a reaction to the medicine. She gently adjusted his covers and used a tissue to wipe away the sweat.

Suddenly, his right hand instinctively grabbed her wrist while he was lost in his dreams. He mumbled in a semi-conscious state, “Don’t go.”

She was startled. Initially, she tried to pull her hand away but couldn’t do it too abruptly as this man’s arm had just undergone stitches and bandaging. She held onto his hand with her other hand, soothing him until he let go and sank into a deeper sleep.

She finally sighed in relief and wondered what nightmare he was having.

After a while, Shirley stepped outside to catch a breath. Freddie was sitting outside. He had narrowly escaped danger this time as he had stayed behind to gather information locally, which delayed his return by two hours. This twist of fate had kept him out of harm’s way.

I’m Freddie Hurst, Mr.

almost said her real name, but she

must be

to meet you.” Freddie smiled. Shirley nodded. Just then, Josef approached from a short distance away. After looking at Shirley,

Freddie and said, “I misspoke earlier. My last name

aback but quickly realized that there was only one Lloyd Family with the privilege to appear by Zacharias’ side. “So, you’re Miss Lloyd. I apologize for

hadn’t met him

attend to. I’ll be leaving shortly, and I’ll leave Zach in your care. Thank you for your help.”

would be a valuable asset for his son’s stability in political power. After all, his son was young,

please rest assured. I’ll take good care of him,” Shirley assured him. Josef nodded, then turned to pat Freddie on the shoulder. “Freddie, you’ve worked