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

already out, and most of the kids

alone, watching the door eagerly, her little

in her heart and quickly

lit up.

towards Sophie but stopped halfway

was joyful and clear, but now her

teacher, tidying up toys, heard Abby and came over with

felt a

teacher knelt next to Abby and gently said, "Abby, why don't you go play on the slide with the other teacher? I need

and was led away by

"Have a seat. I want to discuss

made Sophie uneasy, wondering

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

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

help but look

simple,

with a small figure falling from it,

reaching out

smiled. "Abby titled this drawing 'Daddy

was moved, recalling the scene when it

Abby being thrown down. He didn't have time to think;

"Abby told me this is her, and this is her dad. She said her Mommy told her that her Daddy got

stared blankly at

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Abby to draw

loved her, hoping it would make her feel

depicted Daddy, Mommy, and

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

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

is actually blank!" This sentence

Daddy, he was actually blank to her, without warmth.

Abby didn't understand, but it turned out she had kept all

up and looked outside. Abby was playing on the slide with a

but her smile lacks the vitality that children her age should have. This isn't the state she should

at Abby, tears welling

As a mother, she

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

She ran to Sophie, holding her hand.

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

suddenly said, "Let's not go

to Abby, "Abby, how about Daddy takes

burger?"

didn't answer immediately; she

overly sensible reaction made Sophie feel

you, why don't