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

already out, and most of the kids had

the window, Sophie saw Abby sitting alone, watching the door eagerly, her little

in her heart and quickly walked

lit up.

halfway when she saw

earlier "Mommy" was joyful and clear, but

came over with a smile. "First time I've

felt a bit

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

and was led away by

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

Sophie uneasy, wondering if Abby had done something

should play, cry, make mistakes, and fight over toys, but she doesn't. She's so mature for her age that it

pulled out two drawings from a stack and handed them over.

but look at the

drawing style was simple,

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

below reaching out to

"Abby titled this drawing 'Daddy is

the scene when

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

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

blankly at the

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

hadn't expected Abby to draw this

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

second drawing depicted Daddy, Mommy, and

holding her hands, playing on a green lawn. Everything was

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

is actually blank!" This sentence struck Richard's

Abby called him Daddy, he was actually blank to her, without warmth.

didn't understand, but it turned out she had kept all

Abby was playing

lacks the vitality that children her age should have. This

Abby, tears

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

to change things. For children, no toy is more important than the company of their parents. I hope you can spend more time with her, giving her

the slide. She ran

they walked out of the kindergarten together, Richard tried a few times

Richard suddenly said, "Let's not

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

burger?"

immediately; she looked at

overly sensible reaction made Sophie feel heartbroken. She gently

to you, why