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.

tough, but he seemed to have gotten used to calling Abby

was already out, and most

Abby sitting alone, watching the door eagerly, her little face

her heart and quickly walked to the classroom

eyes lit up.

Sophie but stopped halfway when she saw Richard behind

"Mommy" was joyful and clear, but now

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

a bit

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

and was led away by another

for Sophie and Richard. "Have a seat. I

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

They should play, cry, make mistakes, and fight over toys, but she doesn't. She's so mature for her age that it makes

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

couldn't help but look at

style was simple, but the

with

reaching out to

"Abby titled this drawing

recalling the scene when

saw Abby being thrown down. He didn't have time

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

stared blankly at the

next

hadn't expected Abby to draw

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

depicted Daddy, Mommy,

playing on a green lawn. Everything was colored

didn't color Daddy. She said because Daddy never played with her and Mommy. This is her dream, not

actually blank!" This sentence

Daddy, he was actually blank to her, without warmth. Sophie felt very

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

and looked outside. Abby was playing on the slide with a

her smile lacks the vitality that children her age should

at Abby, tears

guilty. As a mother,

more important than the company of their parents. I hope you can spend more

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

walked out of the kindergarten together, Richard tried a few times

Richard suddenly said, "Let's not

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

burger?"

immediately; she looked

sensible reaction made Sophie

talking to you, why