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.

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

out, and

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

a pang in her heart

lit

towards Sophie but stopped halfway when she saw Richard behind

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

over with a smile. "First time I've

felt a

go play on the slide with the other teacher? I

and was led

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

made Sophie uneasy, wondering if Abby had done something

she shouldn't have any worries. They should play, cry, make mistakes, and fight over

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

couldn't help but look at

drawing style was simple,

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

below reaching out

smiled. "Abby titled this drawing 'Daddy

was moved, recalling the scene when

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

is her dad. She said her Mommy told her

blankly at

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expected Abby to

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

depicted

Mommy were holding her hands, playing on a green lawn. Everything was colored except

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

blank!" This

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

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

Abby was playing on the slide with

is playing and smiling, but her smile lacks the vitality that children her age should have. This isn't the state she should

Abby, tears welling up

As a mother,

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 and happy

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

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

walking a bit, Richard suddenly

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

burger?"

answer immediately; she

sensible reaction made Sophie feel

to you, why don't you