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 Abby

already out, and

saw Abby sitting alone, watching the

pang in her heart and quickly

eyes lit

stopped halfway when she saw

joyful and clear, but now her

Abby and came over with a

a bit

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

and was led

seat. I want to discuss Abby's situation

request made Sophie uneasy,

"Abby is very well-behaved and sensible, but she's too quiet. At her age, she shouldn't have any worries. They should play, cry, make mistakes, and fight

two drawings from a stack and handed them over. "Look, these

but look at

drawing style was simple, but the meaning

bridge, with a small

reaching out

titled this drawing 'Daddy

moved, recalling the scene

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

is her dad. She said her Mommy

blankly at the

5s.com for uninterrupted enjoyment. The next chapter is just a click

expected Abby to draw this

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

second drawing depicted

hands, playing on

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

blank!" This sentence struck Richard's

blank to her, without warmth. Sophie felt

she had kept all this inside. The teacher

looked outside. Abby

but her smile lacks the vitality that children her age should have. This isn't the state she should be in," the teacher

looked at Abby, tears welling up

a mother, she hadn't realized Abby

things. For children, no toy is more important than the company of

saw Sophie and Richard standing by the slide. She ran to Sophie, holding her hand. "Mommy, I don't want to

tried a few times to hold

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

said to Abby, "Abby, how about

burger?"

didn't answer immediately; she looked at

Sophie feel heartbroken. She

you,