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

delay, school was already out, and most of the kids had

saw Abby sitting alone, watching the door eagerly, her

in her heart and quickly walked to

lit up.

halfway when she saw Richard behind

joyful and clear, but now

over with a smile.

a

play on the slide with the other

led away

teacher pulled out two chairs for Sophie and Richard. "Have a seat. I want to discuss

made Sophie uneasy, wondering if

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 feel sorry for

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

but look at

was simple, but the meaning

background was a bridge, with a

reaching out

this drawing 'Daddy

moved, recalling the scene when

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

pointed at the drawing, smiling. "Abby told me this is her, and this is her dad. She said her Mommy told her that her Daddy

stared blankly

The next chapter is just a

hadn't expected Abby

her, hoping

depicted

her hands, playing on a green lawn. Everything was colored except for

because Daddy never played with her and Mommy. This is her dream, not reality, so Daddy

This

actually blank to her, without warmth.

understand, but it turned out she had kept all this inside. The teacher pointed outside

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

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

tears welling

mother, she hadn't realized Abby

"Don't worry, she's still young, and there's time to change things. For children, no toy is more important than the company of their parents. I

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

Richard tried a few

suddenly said,

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

burger?"

didn't answer immediately; she looked at

sensible reaction made Sophie feel heartbroken. She gently said,

you, why don't