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.

to

out, and most of the kids

alone,

heart

eyes lit up.

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

clear, but now her "Daddy"

Abby and came over with

felt a bit

teacher knelt next to Abby and gently said, "Abby, why don't you go play on the

was led away

two chairs for Sophie and Richard. "Have a seat. I want to discuss Abby's situation with you. I'm sure

request made Sophie uneasy, wondering if Abby

said, "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 over toys, but

a stack and handed them over. "Look,

help but look at

simple, but

bridge, with a small figure

reaching out

teacher smiled. "Abby titled this drawing

moved, recalling the scene when it

thrown

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

stared blankly

for uninterrupted enjoyment. The next chapter is

expected Abby to draw

her, hoping it would make her feel

drawing depicted Daddy, Mommy, and

playing

Daddy never played with her and Mommy. This is her dream, not reality, so Daddy is

is actually blank!" This sentence

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

had kept all this inside. The teacher pointed

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

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

looked at Abby, tears welling up in her

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

toy is more important than the company of their parents. I hope you can spend more time with her, giving her a

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

tried a few times to hold Abby's hand but

bit, Richard suddenly said, "Let's not go home

squatted down and said to Abby, "Abby, how about Daddy takes you to get

burger?"

answer immediately; she looked at

made Sophie feel heartbroken.

talking to you, why