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

school was already out, and most

saw Abby sitting alone, watching the

felt a pang in her heart

eyes lit up.

but stopped halfway when she

joyful and clear, but

heard Abby and came over with a smile. "First

a

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

nodded and was led

out two chairs for Sophie and Richard. "Have a seat. I want to discuss Abby's situation with you. I'm sure you

teacher's sudden request made Sophie uneasy,

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

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

but

style was simple, but

first drawing's background was a bridge, with

below reaching out to

smiled. "Abby titled this drawing 'Daddy is a

recalling the

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

is her dad. She

blankly at the

reading? Ensure you're on 5s.com for uninterrupted enjoyment. The next

expected Abby to draw

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

drawing depicted

her hands, playing on a green lawn.

Daddy. She said because Daddy never

is actually blank!" This sentence struck Richard's

even though Abby called him Daddy, he was actually blank

it turned out she had kept all this inside. The

outside. Abby was playing

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

looked at Abby, tears welling up

mother, she

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

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

they walked out of the kindergarten together, Richard tried a few times to hold Abby's

a bit, Richard suddenly said, "Let's

"Abby, how about

burger?"

answer immediately; she looked

made Sophie feel heartbroken. She gently said,

talking to you, why