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 have gotten used to calling Abby

already out, and most of the kids

saw Abby sitting alone, watching the

felt a pang in her heart and quickly walked to

eyes lit

Sophie but stopped halfway when she saw Richard behind her.

"Mommy" was joyful and clear, but now her

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

a bit

don't you go play on

was led away

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

request made Sophie uneasy,

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,

over. "Look,

help but look at

child's drawing style was simple, but the meaning

a bridge, with

below reaching out to catch

teacher smiled. "Abby titled this drawing 'Daddy

moved, recalling the scene

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

"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

blankly at the

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

Abby to draw this

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

depicted Daddy,

were holding her hands, playing

because Daddy never played with her

is actually blank!" This sentence struck

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

didn't understand, but it turned out she had kept all

up and looked outside. Abby was

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

tears welling

mother, she hadn't realized Abby wasn't truly

she's still young, and there's time to change things. For children, no toy is more important than the company of their

ran to Sophie,

tried a few times to hold

bit, Richard suddenly said,

"Abby, how about

burger?"

answer immediately; she

overly sensible reaction made Sophie feel heartbroken.

you, why don't