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 have gotten used to calling Abby his

out, and most of the kids had been picked

sitting alone, watching the door eagerly, her

felt a pang in her heart and quickly walked to

lit up.

ran towards Sophie but stopped halfway

but now her "Daddy" was timid and

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

felt a

why don't you go play on the slide with

led away by

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

uneasy,

too quiet. At her age, she shouldn't have any worries. 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

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

couldn't help but look

child's drawing style was simple,

was a bridge, with a small figure falling from

reaching out to

this drawing 'Daddy

the scene

being thrown down. He

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

stared blankly at the

uninterrupted enjoyment. The next chapter

Abby to draw this

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

second drawing depicted Daddy, Mommy,

holding her hands, playing on

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

actually blank!" This sentence

Daddy, he was actually blank to her,

had kept

Abby was

children her age should have. This isn't the state

Abby, tears welling up

mother, she

to change things. For children, no toy is more important than the company of their parents. I hope you can spend more time with her,

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

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

Richard suddenly said, "Let's

"Abby, how about Daddy takes

burger?"

answer immediately; she looked at

overly sensible reaction made Sophie feel heartbroken. She

talking to you, why don't