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.

seemed to have gotten used to calling

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

the window, Sophie saw Abby sitting alone, watching

felt a pang in her heart and quickly walked

eyes lit

stopped halfway when she saw

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

over with a

felt a

why don't you go play on the

and was led away by

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

sudden request made Sophie uneasy, wondering if Abby had

shouldn't have any worries. They should play, cry, make mistakes, and fight over toys, but she doesn't. She's so mature

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

couldn't help but

style was simple, but the meaning was

with a small figure

reaching out

this drawing 'Daddy

recalling the scene when it

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

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 hurt saving her, so she thinks Daddy is

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hadn't expected Abby to draw this

the story to help her understand that Richard loved her,

second drawing depicted Daddy, Mommy,

her hands, playing on a

Abby why she didn't color Daddy. She said because Daddy never

This

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

turned out she had kept all this inside. The teacher pointed outside the window. "Come

and looked outside. Abby was playing on

Abby is playing and smiling, but her smile lacks the vitality that children her age

Abby, tears

As a mother, she hadn't realized

toy is more important than the company of

down again, she saw Sophie and Richard standing by the slide. She ran

tried a few

Richard suddenly said,

said to Abby, "Abby, how about

burger?"

immediately; she looked at

overly sensible reaction made Sophie feel heartbroken. She gently said,

talking to you, why