?Chapter 2881:


    “A chicken only has two legs. You take one, and your dad takes the other.”


    His dad?


    Disgust twisted Locke’s stomach. That pitiful man—he wasn’t his dad.


    “Absolutely not.” He shook his head firmly.


    “Joy should get one, too!”


    “You foolish boy…” The woman sighed, her voice gentle as if trying to reason with him.


    “You eat yours. She’s a girl—she doesn’t need much.”


    Logic like that made no sense to Locke. He couldn’t understand it.


    At home, girls were treasured. His grandmother, his aunt, and Joy herself were always treated with care.


    His father had always taught him that a man should protect women, that enduring hardships was part of being a man.


    Still, Locke realized that with only one drumstick, the man iming to be his new father wouldn’t give it up willingly.


    “Take this.” Locke lifted the drumstick from his te and set it gently onto Joy’s.


    “You eat it.”


    “You have it, Locke,” Joy muttered, her lips forming a small pout.


    “No, you.” Locke pushed it closer and held it out to her.


    “Come on, take a bite. Be good.”


    “Alright…” Joy leaned forward and bit into the meat, her obedience gentle and quiet.


    “Tastes good?” Locke looked at her eagerly.


    “It does!” Joy’s tiny mouth glistened with grease, and her smile lit up with contentment.


    A wave of guilt swept through Locke—he had let Joy suffer too much.


    Back at home, a drumstick was nothing special. She might not have even touched it then.


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    Here, a drumstick felt like something precious.


    “Locke.” Joy held out the half-eaten piece toward him.


    “Have a bite too.”


    “No, you finish it.” Locke shook his head firmly.


    “I don’t want it. Be good and eat the whole thing.”


    “Alright.” Joy bent her head and chewed with quiet determination.


    Watching them, the woman let out a helplessugh and wagged a finger at Locke.


    “You’re a thoughtful boy, but there’s no need to give so much away.”


    She pped her hands lightly.


    “Come on now, eat quickly and head to bed early.”


    This girl wasn’t meant to stay. Still, the boy was always protecting her.


    After the meal, Locke and Joy were locked back inside their room.


    The space was small. It had originally had a window, but the man had nailed it shut from the outside, cutting off any view of the world beyond.


    With the door securely locked, any thought of escape was impossible.


    On a thin bed padded with cotton mats, Locke and Joyy close together.


    “Locke, my head itches,” Joy muttered softly.


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