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.

to have gotten used to calling Abby his

out,

Abby sitting alone, watching the door eagerly, her little

pang in her heart and

eyes lit up.

towards Sophie but stopped halfway when she saw

and clear, but now

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

a bit

"Abby, why don't you go play on

and was led

seat. I want to

request made Sophie uneasy,

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 it makes me

over. "Look, these are Abby's drawings. Richard, you're in a

but look

drawing style was simple, but

background was a bridge, with a small

reaching out to catch

"Abby titled this

recalling the scene when

thrown down.

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

blankly at

on 5s.com for uninterrupted enjoyment. The next

expected Abby to

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

drawing depicted Daddy,

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

said, "I asked Abby why she didn't color Daddy. She said because Daddy never played with

blank!" This sentence

Daddy, he was actually blank

out she had kept all

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

and smiling, but her smile lacks the vitality that children her age should have.

tears welling up in her

As a mother, she hadn't realized Abby wasn't

toy is more important than the company of their parents. I hope you

and Richard standing by the slide. She ran to Sophie, holding

of the kindergarten together, Richard tried a few times

walking a bit, Richard suddenly said, "Let's not go

"Abby, how about Daddy

burger?"

answer immediately; she

Sophie feel heartbroken. She

to you,