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.

he seemed to have gotten used to calling

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

saw Abby sitting alone, watching the door eagerly, her little face

heart and quickly walked to the classroom

eyes lit up.

Sophie but stopped halfway when she saw

but now her "Daddy" was timid and

teacher, tidying up toys, heard Abby and came over

a

don't you go play on the slide

and was led away

seat. I want

made Sophie uneasy, wondering if Abby had done

They should play, cry, make mistakes, and fight over toys, but she doesn't. She's so mature

handed them over. "Look, these

help but look at

drawing style was simple, but the meaning was

background was a bridge, with a

below reaching out to catch

teacher smiled. "Abby titled this drawing 'Daddy is

was moved, recalling the scene when

the bridge and saw Abby being thrown down.

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 at

The next chapter is

Abby to draw

story to help her understand that Richard loved her, hoping

depicted Daddy, Mommy, and

her hands, playing on a green

didn't color Daddy. She said because Daddy never played with her and Mommy. This is her dream, not

actually blank!" This sentence struck

blank to her, without warmth. Sophie felt very uncomfortable seeing this

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

Richard stood up and looked outside. Abby was

vitality that children her age should have. This isn't the state she should be in,"

tears welling up in her

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

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

Sophie and Richard standing by the slide. She ran to Sophie, holding her hand. "Mommy, I don't want

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

walking a bit, Richard suddenly said,

said to Abby, "Abby, how about

burger?"

answer immediately; she

overly sensible reaction made Sophie

talking to you,