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.

tough, but he seemed to have

earlier delay, school was already out, and

the window, Sophie saw Abby sitting alone, watching the door eagerly, her little face

a pang in her heart and quickly

eyes lit

Sophie but stopped halfway when she saw Richard

and clear, but now her "Daddy" was

teacher, tidying up toys, heard Abby and came over with a smile. "First time I've seen Abby's

felt a

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

nodded and was led away by another

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

sudden request made Sophie uneasy, wondering if Abby had done something

and sensible, but she's too quiet. At her age, she shouldn't have any worries. They should play, cry, make mistakes, and fight over toys, but she doesn't. She's so mature for

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

help but look at

was simple, but the meaning was

with a small figure falling from it,

below reaching out to catch

this drawing 'Daddy is

recalling the scene when it

was under the bridge and saw Abby being thrown down. He didn't have time to think; catching her was pure

is her dad. She said her Mommy

blankly

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Abby to draw this

told Abby the story to help her understand that Richard loved her, hoping it would

depicted Daddy,

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

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

This sentence

blank to her, without warmth.

it turned out she had kept all this inside. The teacher pointed outside

and Richard stood up and looked outside. Abby

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

heartbroken and guilty. As a mother, she

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

by the slide. She ran to Sophie, holding her hand. "Mommy, I don't want to play

Richard tried a few

suddenly said,

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

burger?"

answer immediately;

made Sophie feel heartbroken. She gently said,

to you, why don't