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.

seemed to have gotten used to calling Abby his

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

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

heart and quickly walked

eyes lit

stopped halfway when

earlier "Mommy" was joyful and clear, but now her "Daddy" was

Abby and came over with a smile. "First time I've seen

a

you go play on the slide with the

and was led away by another

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

Sophie uneasy,

shouldn't have any worries. They should play, cry, make

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

couldn't help but look at the

was simple,

first drawing's background was a bridge, with a small figure falling from

reaching out

titled this drawing 'Daddy is

was moved, recalling the scene when it

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

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 saving her, so

stared blankly

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expected Abby to draw

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

second drawing depicted Daddy, Mommy, and

Daddy and Mommy were holding her hands, playing on a

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

actually blank!" This sentence struck

actually blank to her, without warmth. Sophie felt very

kept all this inside. The

and looked outside. Abby

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

at Abby, tears welling up in her

felt heartbroken and guilty. As a mother, she hadn't realized

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

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

the kindergarten together, Richard tried a few

suddenly said,

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

burger?"

didn't answer immediately; she

reaction made Sophie feel heartbroken. She

you, why