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

already out, and most of the kids had

Abby sitting alone, watching the door eagerly, her little

a pang in her heart and quickly walked to

lit

halfway when she saw

"Mommy" was joyful and clear, but now her "Daddy"

and came over with a

felt a

"Abby, why don't you go play on the

and was led

for Sophie and Richard. "Have a seat. I want to discuss Abby's situation with you. I'm

request made Sophie uneasy, wondering if Abby had

"Abby 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 she doesn't. She's so mature for her age that

and handed them over. "Look, these

but look at the

style was simple, but the

drawing's background was a bridge, with

below reaching out to catch

"Abby titled this drawing 'Daddy

the scene when it

Richard was under the bridge and saw Abby being thrown down. He didn't

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

stared blankly

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expected Abby

Abby the story to help her understand that Richard loved her, hoping it would make her feel less distant and

second drawing depicted

her hands, playing on

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

is actually blank!" This

he was actually blank to her, without warmth.

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

stood up and looked outside. Abby was playing on the

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

looked at Abby, tears welling up in her

guilty. As a mother, she

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 a healthy and happy

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

tried a few times to

bit, Richard suddenly said, "Let's

and said to Abby, "Abby,

burger?"

immediately; she looked

made Sophie feel heartbroken. She gently said,

to you,