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.

be tough, but he seemed to have

out,

sitting alone,

a pang in her heart

lit

Sophie but stopped halfway

joyful and clear, but now her

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

felt a bit

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

led away by another

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

teacher's sudden request made Sophie uneasy, wondering if Abby

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 she doesn't. She's so mature for her age that it makes me feel

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

couldn't help but look at

style was simple, but the meaning was

was a bridge, with a small

out to

teacher smiled. "Abby titled this drawing 'Daddy

moved, recalling the scene when it

thrown down. He didn't have time to think; catching her

this is her dad. She said her Mommy told her that her Daddy

stared blankly

on 5s.com for uninterrupted enjoyment. The next chapter

Abby to draw

story to help her understand that Richard loved her, hoping it would make her

second drawing depicted Daddy,

Mommy were holding her hands, playing

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

This sentence

blank to her, without warmth. Sophie felt very uncomfortable seeing

kept all

and Richard stood up and looked outside. Abby

smile lacks the vitality that children her age should have. This isn't the state she should

at Abby, tears welling

a mother, she hadn't

"Don't worry, she's still young, 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 time with her, giving her a healthy

She ran to Sophie,

the kindergarten together, Richard tried a few times to hold Abby's hand but

Richard suddenly

and said to Abby, "Abby,

burger?"

immediately; she looked

sensible reaction made Sophie

you, why don't you