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

earlier delay, school was already out,

alone, watching the door

felt a pang in her heart

lit up.

halfway when

"Mommy" was joyful and clear, but

tidying up toys, heard Abby and came over with a

felt a bit

don't you go play on the slide with the

led

seat. I

uneasy, wondering if Abby had

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 sorry

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

couldn't help but look at

drawing style was simple, but the

a bridge, with a small figure

out

this drawing 'Daddy

was moved, recalling the

saw Abby being thrown down.

her dad. She said her Mommy told her that her Daddy got hurt saving her, so she thinks Daddy is a

blankly

for uninterrupted enjoyment. The next chapter is just

Abby to draw

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

drawing depicted Daddy, Mommy,

holding her hands, playing on a green

didn't color Daddy. She said because Daddy never played with her and Mommy.

This

Daddy, he was actually blank to her, without warmth.

had kept all

looked outside. Abby was playing on

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

Abby, tears welling

and guilty. As a mother, she hadn't realized Abby wasn't truly

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

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

walked out of the kindergarten together, Richard tried a

walking a bit, Richard suddenly said, "Let's not go

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

burger?"

didn't answer immediately; she looked at

reaction made Sophie feel heartbroken. She gently

talking to you, why