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.

to have gotten used to calling Abby

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

alone, watching the door eagerly,

felt a pang in her heart

eyes lit up.

but stopped halfway when she

joyful and clear, but now her

Abby and came over with a

felt a

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

nodded and was led away

and Richard. "Have a seat. I want to discuss Abby's situation with you. I'm sure you want to

sudden request made Sophie uneasy, wondering if Abby

play, cry, make mistakes,

teacher pulled out two drawings from a stack and handed them over. "Look, these are Abby's

couldn't help but look at

drawing style was simple,

a bridge, with a small

reaching out

this drawing 'Daddy is

moved, recalling the scene when

being thrown down. He didn't have time to

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

stared blankly at

on 5s.com for uninterrupted enjoyment. The next

hadn't expected Abby to draw

to help her understand that Richard loved her, hoping it

drawing depicted

her hands, playing on a green

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

This sentence

him Daddy, he was actually blank to her, without warmth. Sophie felt very uncomfortable

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

looked outside. Abby was playing on the slide

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

at Abby, tears welling up

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

important than the company of their parents.

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

the kindergarten together, Richard tried a few times

Richard suddenly said, "Let's not go

said to Abby, "Abby, how

burger?"

didn't answer immediately; she looked

made Sophie feel heartbroken. She

talking to you, why