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

already out,

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

heart and quickly walked

eyes lit up.

halfway when

clear, but now

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

felt a

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

was led away by

Richard. "Have a seat. I want to discuss Abby's situation with you. I'm sure you want to know

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

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.

them over. "Look, these are Abby's drawings. Richard,

help but look at

child's drawing style was simple, but the meaning was

drawing's background was a bridge, with a small figure falling from

reaching out

smiled. "Abby titled this

was moved, recalling the

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

teacher pointed at the drawing, smiling. "Abby told me this is her, and this is her dad. She said her Mommy told her

blankly

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hadn't expected Abby to draw this

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

depicted

her hands, playing on a green lawn.

asked Abby why she didn't color Daddy. She said because Daddy never played with

actually blank!" This

he was actually blank to her, without warmth. Sophie

had kept

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

and smiling, but her smile lacks the vitality that children her

Abby, tears welling up in

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

comforted, "Don't 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 her, giving her

slide. She ran

walked out of the kindergarten together, Richard tried a few

suddenly said, "Let's

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

burger?"

immediately; she

Sophie

you,