Unveiled: The Survivor's Triumph

Chapter 282 Warm Interactions

Sophie shot a warning, "Hey, what do you guys want? Try anything funny, and I'll scream for help."

The thug just grinned, totally unfazed. "Relax, we don't want anything. Just wanna buy you a coffee."

Two guys moved in to grab her, following his lead.

Sophie took a couple of steps back, her voice shaky. "I'm not alone. My husband will be here any second."

They clearly didn't buy it and kept closing in on her.

"Honey."

Just when Sophie was freaking out, a familiar voice came from behind.

She spun around, almost relieved, and saw Richard standing a few feet away, hands in his pockets, looking all chill.

His "Honey" was like a lifeline, and she dashed over to him, grabbing his arm.

"Honey, what's going on? These your friends?" Richard asked, his eyes sweeping over the group, sounding totally indifferent.

Sophie shook her head.

The guys hadn't expected anyone to show up, especially not a man. It was broad daylight, and they weren't dumb enough to cause a scene. With her "husband" there, the thug waved them off.

As they walked away, Sophie let out a sigh of relief.

Richard's teasing voice snapped her back to reality. "I'm curious, if I hadn't shown up, who were you planning to have pretend to be your husband?"

The word "pretend" made Sophie reluctantly let go of his arm.

She'd almost gotten swept up in his earlier "Honey."

How could she forget Richard had nothing to do with her? He only played along to help her out.

"I need to pick up the kids," Sophie mumbled, heading quickly towards the kindergarten just ahead.

After a bit, Richard caught up with her.

Sophie looked at him, surprised.

Wasn't he just passing by?

Richard glanced at her. "Why are you looking at me like that? I'm the kid's dad. Can't I pick up my daughter?"

Of course, he could! Sophie was surprised but also pleased.

She remembered when he first got out, he wouldn't go near Abby, refusing to admit she was his daughter.

He used to be so harsh whenever he saw Sophie and Abby, and Abby was terrified of him.

But in the past six months, Richard had changed a bit.

seemed to have gotten used to calling Abby his

already out, and most

window, Sophie saw Abby sitting alone, watching the door

a pang in her heart

lit up.

but stopped halfway

clear, but now her "Daddy"

heard Abby and came over

a bit

Abby and gently said, "Abby, why don't you go play on the slide

nodded and was led away

teacher pulled out two chairs for Sophie and Richard. "Have a seat. I want to discuss Abby's situation with you. I'm

made Sophie uneasy,

"Abby is very well-behaved and sensible, but she's too quiet. At her age, she shouldn't have any worries. They should play, cry, make mistakes,

two drawings from a stack and handed them over. "Look, these are

help but look at the

drawing style was simple, but the

background was a bridge, with a small figure

reaching out to catch

smiled. "Abby titled this drawing

recalling the scene

thrown down. He didn't have time to

She said

stared blankly

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hadn't expected Abby to

understand that Richard loved her, hoping it would make

drawing depicted Daddy,

picture, Daddy and Mommy were holding her hands, playing on a green lawn. Everything was colored

she didn't color Daddy. She said because Daddy never played with her and Mommy. This is her dream, not

This sentence struck Richard's

was actually blank to her, without warmth. Sophie felt very uncomfortable seeing

understand, but it turned out she had kept all this inside.

up and looked outside. Abby

is playing and smiling, but her smile lacks the vitality that children her age should have. This isn't the state she should be

at Abby, tears welling

As a mother, she hadn't

young, and there's time to change things. For children, no toy is more important than the company of their

Abby slid down again, she saw Sophie and Richard standing by the slide. She ran to Sophie, holding her hand. "Mommy, I don't want to play anymore. Let's go

of the kindergarten together, Richard tried a few times

bit, Richard suddenly said, "Let's

to Abby, "Abby, how about Daddy takes you to get

burger?"

didn't answer immediately;

overly sensible reaction made Sophie feel heartbroken.

you, why