?Chapter 2884:


    “Wait!” she cried, her voice cracking.


    “Don’t go—look at the boy! He’s bleeding!”


    “What now?” He turned sharply, Joy still in his arms, his brows furrowed in irritation. But when his gaze fell on Locke, his face darkened.


    “Useless woman!” he barked.


    “Can’t you even watch a child for a moment?”


    “How is this my fault?” she sobbed, her eyes darting to the bundled child in his arms.


    “We can’t give the girl away now, or he’ll fight us to the end!”


    The man hesitated, his jaw working. Atst, he let out a harsh breath.


    “Fine! Let’s go back.”


    In the woman’s arms, Locke stirred, hisshes fluttering weakly.


    “Joy… Joy…” His first words were a trembling whisper.


    “You’re awake?” Relief washed over her face.


    “Thank goodness!”


    “Joy…”


    “She’s right here—look!” The woman turned slightly so he could see.


    “Locke!” Joy, still clutched by the man, reached her tiny hands toward him.


    “That’s enough!” the man snapped, his voice tight with annoyance.


    “You’ve seen her. Now you need a doctor!”


    They hurried to a small vige clinic.


    “Doctor, please, look at him carefully. Is it serious?”


    “It’s hard to say.” The doctor examined Locke, his face grave.


    “He fainted, so there’s a concussion, no doubt. How bad it is—I can’t tell here.”


    He shook his head.


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    “Head injuries can be dangerous. You should take him to a proper hospital in town.”


    “That’s…” The man hesitated, ncing at the woman.


    “Can’t you just… do what you can?”


    The doctor studied them, reading the struggle in their eyes.


    “Alright. Leave him here for now—I’ll keep him under observation.”


    “Thank you,” the man muttered curtly.


    After cleaning and dressing the wound, Locke wasid in a narrow adjoining room, once meant for the doctor’s rest.


    The room was cramped, so the man and woman waited outside. Joy, however, refused to leave, clinging to Locke’s side with fierce determination.


    They were still just children—too young to understand the cruelty of it all.


    “Don’t be scared, Joy,” Locke whispered, his voice soft but steady.


    “As long as I’m here, no one will hurt you.”


    “Okay!” Her wide eyes glimmered with trust as she nestled closer to him.


    “Locke,” she murmured, “when will Mommy, Daddy, and Uncle Erneste get us?”


    Locke couldn’t find the words to answer.


    He furrowed his small brow, lips pressing into a thin line.


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