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

the earlier delay, school was already out, and most of the kids

window, Sophie saw Abby sitting alone, watching the door eagerly,

pang in her heart and quickly walked

eyes lit up.

but stopped halfway when she saw Richard behind her.

and clear, but now her "Daddy" was timid

teacher, tidying up toys, heard Abby and came over with a smile. "First time

a bit

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

nodded and was led away by

two chairs for Sophie and Richard. "Have a seat. I

sudden request made Sophie uneasy, wondering if Abby

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

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

couldn't help but look at the

simple, but the

a bridge, with a small figure falling from

out to catch

"Abby titled this drawing 'Daddy is a

was moved, recalling the scene

day, Richard was under the bridge and saw Abby being thrown down. He didn't

smiling. "Abby told me this is her, and this is her dad. She said her Mommy told her that her Daddy got hurt saving her, so she thinks Daddy is

stared blankly at the

your weekend reading? Ensure you're on 5s.com for uninterrupted enjoyment. The next chapter is

expected Abby to

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

second drawing depicted

and Mommy were holding her hands, playing on a green lawn.

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

is actually blank!" This

he was actually blank

it turned out she had kept all this inside. The teacher pointed outside the

looked outside. Abby was playing on the

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

at Abby, tears

guilty. As a mother, she hadn't realized

For children, no toy is more important than the company of their parents. I hope

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

Richard tried a few times

suddenly said, "Let's

and said to Abby, "Abby, how about Daddy

burger?"

answer immediately;

sensible reaction made Sophie feel heartbroken. She

talking to you, why