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

out, and most of the

alone, watching the door eagerly,

a pang in her heart and quickly walked to

lit

Sophie but stopped halfway

earlier "Mommy" was joyful and clear, but now

came over with a smile. "First time I've

felt a

on the slide

led away by

teacher pulled out two chairs for Sophie and Richard. "Have a seat. I want to discuss

request made Sophie uneasy, wondering if

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

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

but

child's drawing style was simple,

a bridge, with a small figure falling from it,

below reaching out to catch

teacher smiled. "Abby titled this

the scene

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

She said her Mommy told her that her Daddy

stared blankly

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hadn't expected Abby to

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

second drawing depicted

her hands, playing on a green lawn. Everything was

never played with her and Mommy. This is her dream, not reality, so

blank!" This sentence struck Richard's

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

had kept

and Richard stood up and looked outside. Abby was playing on

the vitality that children her

at Abby, tears welling up

guilty. As a mother, she hadn't realized Abby wasn't

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

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

walked out of the kindergarten together, Richard tried a few times to hold Abby's

Richard suddenly

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

burger?"

immediately; she looked at

reaction made Sophie

you,