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.

he seemed to have gotten used to calling Abby

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

Abby sitting alone, watching the door eagerly, her

her heart

lit up.

but stopped halfway when she saw

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

came over with

felt a bit

why don't you go play on the slide with the other teacher? I need to talk to your mom and

was led away by

a seat. I want to discuss Abby's situation with you. I'm sure you want

sudden request made Sophie uneasy, wondering if Abby

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

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

help but

child's drawing style was simple, but

background was a bridge, with a small figure

below reaching out to catch

teacher smiled. "Abby titled this drawing

recalling the scene when it

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

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 Daddy got

stared blankly at the

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Abby to draw this

to help her understand that Richard loved her, hoping it would make her feel

second drawing depicted Daddy, Mommy,

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

"I asked Abby why she didn't color Daddy. She said because Daddy never played

is actually blank!" This sentence struck

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

had kept all this

up and looked outside. Abby was playing

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

at Abby, tears welling up in

felt heartbroken and guilty. As a mother,

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

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

the kindergarten together, Richard tried a few times to hold

walking a bit, Richard suddenly said, "Let's

squatted down and said to Abby, "Abby, how

burger?"

didn't answer immediately;

overly sensible reaction made Sophie feel heartbroken. She

you,