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.

tough, but he seemed to have gotten used to calling Abby his

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

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

heart and quickly walked

eyes lit

stopped halfway when she saw

was joyful and clear, but now her

toys, heard Abby and came over with a smile. "First time I've

a

knelt next to Abby and gently said, "Abby, why don't you go play on the slide with the other teacher? I need to talk to your mom and

was led away

a seat. I want to discuss Abby's

request made Sophie uneasy, wondering if

any worries. They should play, cry, make mistakes, and fight

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

help but look

drawing style was simple, but the

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

reaching out

"Abby titled this drawing 'Daddy is

the scene when

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

her, and this is her dad. She said her Mommy told her that her Daddy got hurt saving her, so she thinks Daddy is a

stared blankly at the

for uninterrupted enjoyment. The next chapter is just a click away,

hadn't expected Abby

to help her understand that Richard loved her, hoping it would make her feel less distant and timid

drawing depicted Daddy, Mommy, and

were holding her hands, playing

said because Daddy never played with her and Mommy.

actually blank!" This sentence struck

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

she had kept all this inside. The teacher pointed outside the

Abby

vitality that children her age should have. This isn't the state

Abby, tears welling up in

As a mother,

no toy is more important than the company of their parents. I hope you can spend more time with her, giving her a healthy

She ran to Sophie, holding her hand. "Mommy, I don't

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

bit, Richard suddenly said, "Let's not

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

burger?"

immediately; she looked at

reaction made Sophie feel heartbroken. She

talking to you, why