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

already out, and most of the

saw Abby sitting alone, watching the door

a pang in her heart and quickly walked to

lit up.

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

was joyful and clear, but now

teacher, tidying up toys, heard Abby and came over with a smile. "First time I've seen

a

don't you go play on the

was led away

Sophie and Richard. "Have a seat. I want

made Sophie uneasy, wondering if Abby had done

should play, cry, make mistakes, and fight over toys, but she doesn't. She's so mature for her age that it makes me

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

couldn't help but look at the

child's drawing style was simple, but the

a bridge, with a small

below reaching out to catch

smiled. "Abby titled this drawing 'Daddy is a

recalling the

and saw Abby being thrown down. He didn't have time

this is her dad. She said her Mommy told her that her Daddy got hurt saving her,

blankly

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expected Abby to draw

loved her, hoping it would make her

depicted Daddy, Mommy, and

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

she didn't color Daddy. She said because Daddy never played with her and Mommy. This is her dream, not reality,

blank!" This sentence struck

blank to her, without warmth. Sophie felt very uncomfortable

she had kept all this inside.

looked outside. Abby was playing on the slide

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

looked at Abby, tears welling up in her

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

important than the company of their parents. I hope you can spend more

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

walked out of the kindergarten together, Richard tried a few times to hold

walking a bit, Richard suddenly said, "Let's not

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

burger?"

immediately; she looked

sensible reaction made Sophie feel

talking to you, why don't