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 to calling Abby his

delay, school was already out, and most of

saw Abby sitting alone, watching the door eagerly, her little

pang in her heart and quickly walked to the

eyes lit

halfway when she saw Richard

was joyful and clear, but now

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

a

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

led away

for Sophie and Richard. "Have a seat. I want to discuss

teacher's sudden request made Sophie uneasy, wondering if Abby had done something

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

and handed them over. "Look, these are Abby's drawings. Richard, you're

help but look

style was simple, but

with a small figure

reaching out to

smiled. "Abby titled this drawing 'Daddy is

the scene when

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

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 hurt

stared blankly at

The next chapter is

hadn't expected Abby to draw

help her understand that Richard loved her,

drawing depicted Daddy,

holding her hands, playing on

said, "I asked Abby why she didn't color Daddy. She said because Daddy never played with her and Mommy.

blank!" This sentence

blank to her, without warmth. Sophie

Abby didn't understand, but it turned out she had kept all this inside. The teacher

and Richard stood up and looked outside. Abby was playing on the slide

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

looked at Abby, tears welling

and guilty. As a mother,

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

ran to Sophie, holding her hand. "Mommy, I don't want to play

Richard tried a few times to hold

a bit, Richard suddenly

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

burger?"

didn't answer immediately; she

overly sensible reaction made Sophie feel

you, why don't you