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.

be tough, but he seemed to have gotten used to calling

already out, and most of the kids

alone, watching the door

pang in her heart and

eyes lit

towards Sophie but stopped halfway

but now her "Daddy"

Abby and came over with a smile. "First

felt 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

nodded and was led away

pulled out two chairs for Sophie and Richard. "Have a seat. I want to discuss Abby's

made Sophie uneasy, wondering if Abby had done something

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

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

couldn't help but look

child's drawing style was simple, but the meaning was

drawing's background was a bridge, with a small figure

below reaching out to catch

titled this

recalling the

Abby being thrown down. He

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

stared blankly

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Abby to

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

second drawing depicted

the picture, Daddy and Mommy were holding her hands, playing on

color Daddy. She said because Daddy never played with her

This

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

had kept all this inside. The teacher pointed outside

looked outside. Abby was playing on the

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

tears welling up in her

a mother, she

teacher 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 and happy

she saw Sophie and Richard standing by the slide. She ran to Sophie, holding her hand. "Mommy, I

out of the kindergarten together, Richard tried

Richard suddenly said, "Let's not go home

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

burger?"

answer immediately; she looked at

sensible reaction made Sophie feel heartbroken.

you, why don't