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.

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

out, and most

sitting alone, watching the door eagerly, her

her heart and

eyes lit up.

ran towards Sophie but stopped halfway when she saw Richard behind her.

was joyful and clear, but now

tidying up toys, heard Abby and came over with a smile.

felt a

why don't you go play on the slide

and was led away by

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

request made Sophie uneasy, wondering if

very well-behaved and sensible, but she's too quiet. At her age, she shouldn't have any worries. They should play, cry, make mistakes, and fight over toys, but she doesn't. She's

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

couldn't help but look at the

was simple, but

bridge, with a

below reaching out to

titled this

moved, recalling the scene when it

Abby being thrown down. He

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

stared blankly at

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hadn't expected Abby

loved her, hoping it would

drawing depicted Daddy, Mommy,

picture, Daddy and Mommy were holding her hands, playing on a green lawn. Everything

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

This

called him Daddy, he was actually blank to her, without warmth. Sophie

kept all this inside. The teacher

and Richard stood up and looked outside. Abby was playing on

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

tears welling up in her

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

no toy is more important than the company of

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

they walked out of the kindergarten together, Richard tried a

suddenly

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

burger?"

didn't answer immediately; she looked at

reaction made Sophie feel heartbroken. She gently

you, why don't you