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.

still be tough, but he seemed to

earlier delay, school was already out, and most of the kids had been

window, Sophie saw Abby sitting alone, watching the door

pang in her heart

lit

Sophie but stopped halfway

but now her

up toys, heard Abby and came over with

felt a bit

gently said, "Abby, why don't you go play on the slide with the other teacher?

nodded and was led away by another

chairs for Sophie and Richard. "Have a seat. I want to discuss Abby's situation

request made Sophie uneasy, wondering if Abby

should play, cry, make mistakes, and fight over toys, but she doesn't. She's so mature for her age that it makes me

handed them over. "Look, these are Abby's drawings. Richard, you're in

help but

was simple, but the meaning

a bridge, with a small figure falling

below reaching out to

this drawing 'Daddy is a

the scene when

bridge and saw Abby being thrown down. He didn't have time to think;

the drawing, smiling. "Abby told me this is her, and this is her dad. She said her Mommy told her that her Daddy got hurt saving her, so she thinks Daddy is

stared blankly at the

enjoyment. The next chapter is just

Abby

her understand that Richard loved her, hoping it would make her feel less distant and timid around

depicted

were holding her hands, playing on a green lawn. Everything was colored except

said because Daddy never played with her and Mommy. This is her dream, not reality, so Daddy is actually

blank!" This sentence

him Daddy, he was actually blank to her, without warmth. Sophie

kept all this inside.

Abby was

vitality that children her age

at Abby, tears welling up in her

As a mother,

and there's time to change things. For children, no toy is more important than the company of their parents. I hope you can

Abby slid down again, she saw Sophie and Richard standing by the slide. She ran to Sophie, holding

they walked out of the kindergarten together, Richard tried a few times

bit, Richard suddenly

down and said to Abby, "Abby, how about Daddy takes

burger?"

answer immediately; she

reaction made Sophie feel heartbroken. She gently said,

to you, why