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.

but he seemed to have gotten used to calling Abby

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

saw Abby sitting alone,

felt a pang in her heart and quickly walked

lit

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

was joyful and clear, but now her "Daddy" was timid

up toys, heard Abby and came over with a smile.

felt a

teacher 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

nodded and was led

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

made Sophie uneasy, wondering if Abby had done

quiet. At her age, she shouldn't have any worries. They should play,

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

but

child's drawing style was simple, but the

background was a bridge, with

reaching out to catch

smiled. "Abby titled this

moved, recalling the

Richard was under the bridge and saw Abby being thrown down.

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 saving her, so she thinks Daddy is a

blankly at

uninterrupted enjoyment. The next chapter is just a click away, exclusively available on

hadn't expected Abby to

help her understand that Richard loved her, hoping it

depicted

Mommy were holding her hands, playing on a green

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

is actually blank!" This sentence struck Richard's

though Abby called him Daddy, he was actually blank to her, without warmth. Sophie felt very uncomfortable seeing this

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

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

the vitality that children her age should have. This

at Abby, tears welling up in

mother, she hadn't realized Abby

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

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

together, Richard tried a few

suddenly

Abby, "Abby, how about Daddy

burger?"

immediately; she looked

reaction made Sophie

to you, why