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.

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

earlier delay, school was already out, and most of

Sophie saw Abby sitting alone, watching

heart and quickly walked to the classroom

eyes lit up.

but stopped halfway when she saw Richard behind her.

but now

over with a smile. "First time I've seen Abby's

a

go play on the slide with the other teacher? I need to talk to your

and was led away by another

for Sophie and Richard. "Have a seat. I

uneasy, wondering if Abby had done

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

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

help but look at

was simple,

drawing's background was a bridge, with a

out

titled this drawing 'Daddy is

moved, recalling the scene

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

She said her Mommy told her that her Daddy got

blankly

next chapter is just a click away, exclusively available on our site. Happy

Abby to

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

second drawing depicted Daddy, Mommy,

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

never

This sentence struck Richard's

blank to her, without warmth. Sophie felt very uncomfortable

out she had kept all this inside. The teacher

looked outside. Abby

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

at Abby, tears welling

a mother,

important than the company of

and Richard standing by the slide. She ran to Sophie, holding her hand. "Mommy,

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

Richard suddenly said, "Let's not go home

said to Abby, "Abby,

burger?"

immediately; she looked at

reaction made Sophie feel heartbroken. She gently

you, why