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.

he seemed to have gotten

the earlier delay, school was already out, and most of

Sophie saw Abby sitting alone, watching

heart and

lit

ran towards Sophie but stopped halfway when

but now her "Daddy" was timid and

teacher, tidying up toys, heard Abby and came over with

felt a

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

was led away by

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

uneasy, wondering

she's too quiet. At her age, she shouldn't have any worries. They should play, cry, make mistakes, and

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

but look at

style was simple, but the meaning

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

below reaching out to

teacher smiled. "Abby titled this

recalling the scene when it

Abby being thrown down. He didn't have time to think; catching

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

stared blankly at

for uninterrupted enjoyment. The next chapter is just a

hadn't expected Abby to draw this

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

depicted Daddy, Mommy, and

hands, playing on a green lawn.

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

blank!" This sentence struck

Daddy, he was actually blank to her, without warmth.

it turned out she had kept all this inside. The teacher pointed

looked outside. Abby was playing

lacks the vitality that children her age should have. This isn't the state she should be

looked at Abby, tears welling

felt heartbroken and guilty. As a mother, she hadn't realized Abby

things. For children, no toy is more important than the company of their parents.

ran to Sophie, holding her hand. "Mommy, I don't want to play anymore.

kindergarten together, Richard tried a few times to hold Abby's hand

a bit, Richard suddenly said, "Let's

"Abby, how about Daddy takes

burger?"

answer immediately;

made Sophie feel heartbroken. She gently said,

you,