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.

could still be tough, but he seemed to

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

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

felt a pang in her heart and quickly walked to the classroom

lit up.

towards Sophie but stopped halfway when she saw Richard behind her.

but

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

felt a bit

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

was led away by another

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

teacher's sudden request made Sophie uneasy,

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

teacher pulled out two drawings from a stack and handed them over.

help but look

was simple,

was a bridge, with a small

out to

this drawing

the scene

day, Richard was under the bridge and saw Abby being thrown down.

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

blankly at the

on 5s.com for uninterrupted enjoyment. The next chapter is just a click away, exclusively available on our site.

Abby to draw

her understand that Richard loved her, hoping it would make her

second drawing depicted Daddy,

and Mommy were holding her hands, playing on a green lawn. Everything

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

This sentence

even though Abby called him Daddy, he was actually blank to her, without warmth. Sophie felt very uncomfortable seeing

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

and looked outside. Abby was playing on the

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

Abby, tears welling

mother, she hadn't realized Abby

is more important than the company of

ran to

together, Richard tried a few

Richard suddenly

to Abby, "Abby, how

burger?"

didn't answer immediately; she

reaction made Sophie feel heartbroken.

talking to you, why