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

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

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

in her heart and quickly walked to the

lit up.

stopped halfway when she

joyful and clear, but now her "Daddy"

came over

a

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

and was led away by another

and Richard. "Have a seat. I want to discuss

Sophie uneasy, wondering if Abby

age, she 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

handed them over. "Look,

help but look at the

simple, but

was a bridge, with a

reaching out to

teacher smiled. "Abby titled this drawing

was moved, recalling the

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

is her, and this is her dad. She said her Mommy told her

blankly at the

The next chapter is just a click away, exclusively available on our

expected Abby to

understand that Richard loved her, hoping it would make

second drawing depicted Daddy, Mommy,

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

teacher said, "I asked Abby why she didn't color Daddy. She said because Daddy never played with her and Mommy. This is her dream, not reality, so Daddy

actually blank!" This sentence struck

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

out she had kept all this inside.

outside. Abby was playing on

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

Abby, tears

mother, she hadn't realized Abby wasn't truly

change things. For children, no toy is more important than the company

by the slide. She ran to Sophie, holding her hand. "Mommy, I don't want to play anymore. Let's go

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

bit, Richard suddenly said, "Let's not go home

and said to Abby, "Abby, how about

burger?"

answer immediately; she

overly sensible reaction made Sophie

to you, why don't