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.

be tough, but he seemed to

already out, and most of the kids had been

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

in her heart and quickly walked

eyes lit

stopped halfway when she saw Richard behind

and clear, but now her "Daddy" was timid

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

a bit

on the slide with the other

nodded and was led away by

Richard. "Have a seat. I

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

is very well-behaved 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

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

but look at

was simple, but

with a small figure falling from it,

below reaching out to catch

"Abby titled this

moved, recalling the scene when it

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

is her, and this is her dad. She said her Mommy told her that her Daddy

blankly

enjoyment. The next chapter is just a click away,

Abby

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

depicted Daddy,

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

Daddy. She said because Daddy never played with her and Mommy. This is her

This sentence

blank to her, without warmth. Sophie felt very uncomfortable seeing this

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

and looked outside. Abby was

smiling, but her smile lacks the vitality that children her age should have. This isn't

tears welling

and guilty. As a mother, she

"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

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

tried a few times to hold Abby's

a bit, Richard suddenly said, "Let's

and said to Abby, "Abby, how about

burger?"

immediately; she looked at

sensible reaction made Sophie

you, why