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.

he seemed to have gotten used to calling Abby

of the earlier delay, school was already out, and most of the

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

pang in her heart and quickly walked to the classroom

lit

Sophie but stopped halfway when she saw Richard behind

and clear, but now

up toys, heard Abby and came over with a smile. "First

felt a

play on the slide with the other teacher? I need to talk to your mom

led away by another

seat. I want to discuss Abby's situation with you.

teacher's sudden request made Sophie uneasy, wondering if Abby

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 her age that it makes me feel sorry for

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

help but look

child's drawing style was simple, but

background was a bridge, with a small

below reaching out to

teacher smiled. "Abby titled this drawing 'Daddy

recalling the scene

Abby being thrown down. He didn't have

pointed at 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 a

blankly

5s.com for uninterrupted enjoyment. The next chapter is just

hadn't expected Abby to

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

second drawing depicted

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

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

blank!" This

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

Abby didn't understand, but it turned out she had kept all this inside. The teacher pointed outside

stood up and looked outside. Abby was playing on the slide with a

her smile lacks the vitality that children her age should have. This

at Abby, tears welling up in her

As a mother, she

to change things. For children, no toy is more important than the company of their parents. I hope you can spend more time with her, giving her a healthy and happy

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

they walked out of the kindergarten together, Richard tried

suddenly said, "Let's not go

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

burger?"

immediately; she

reaction made Sophie

you, why don't