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.

seemed to

delay, school was already out, and most of the

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

in her heart and quickly walked

lit up.

towards Sophie but stopped halfway when she saw Richard

was joyful and clear, but now her "Daddy" was

over with

a bit

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

was led

seat. I want to discuss Abby's situation with you.

uneasy, wondering if

shouldn't 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

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

couldn't help but look

was simple, but the

with a small figure falling from

below reaching out to catch

smiled. "Abby titled this drawing

the scene

was under the bridge and saw Abby being thrown down. He didn't have time to think; catching her was

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

blankly

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Abby

Richard loved her, hoping it would make her feel less distant and timid

drawing depicted

playing on a green

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

blank!" This

actually blank

out she had kept all

Abby was playing on the slide

smiling, but her smile lacks the vitality that children her age

tears welling up in her

and guilty. As a mother, she

comforted, "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 hope you can spend more time with her, giving her a healthy

slid down again, she saw Sophie and Richard standing by the slide. She ran to Sophie, holding her hand. "Mommy, I don't want to play anymore.

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

suddenly said, "Let's not go home

to Abby, "Abby, how

burger?"

immediately; she looked at

reaction made Sophie feel heartbroken. She gently

talking to you,