Joe didn't want to stop for a moment as he walked, Gus's last words echoing in his head. The message Gus gave him while he was wounded reminded him of the most important duty in his life: to protect his daughter.
Joe immediately left the boxing gym and headed for the streets. Gus's daughter had no idea where she was, but Joe was determined to go after her. Although the loss of Gus was painful in his mind, he now felt like he was living for a purpose. Gus's daughter had been promised to him, and that promise was more important than anything else.
Joe accelerated his pace, passing night after night. The sky had darkened, and the streets were lonely. Many things were difficult for him, but there was an opportunity to change things. Gus's daughter was a child who needed both security and protection. Meeting her, fulfilling this duty, was now Joe's new journey.
As he walked through the streets, multiple scenarios played out in his mind. He would try every way and take every risk to find Gus's daughter. Winning or losing in the boxing ring was no longer important. Because this was something much bigger.
After a while, Joe stopped in front of an apartment building. From what he learned from Gus, his daughter lived in this area. He took a deep breath and knocked on the door. There was no sound from inside. Joe knocked on the door again, but he still heard nothing. He quickly opened the door and went inside.
It didn't take long for Gus to find his daughter. The young girl was sitting alone in her room, quietly drawing something. At that moment, Joe's heart almost stopped for a moment. Because the girl looked so much like Gus. There was the same love and trust in her eyes, but there was also fear.
"You... Who are you?" the girl asked cautiously because she didn't know Joe. Joe slowly took his steps towards her, raised his hands and gently answered, "I... I'm Gus's friend. He valued you more than anything."
The girl paused for a moment. Then she looked at Joe in silence for a moment. "Did you lose Gus?" she asked.
Joe nodded and said, "Yes… But his wish still stands. I promised. I will protect you."
The girl took a deep breath, then bowed her head slightly and asked, "Can you help me? Those fears… are they all real?" Joe tried to reassure her with his eyes without saying anything. The fear she carried inside her only strengthened Joe's resolve.
"Yes. I'm with you now. Nothing will bother you," Joe said.
They spent that night together. Joe was always on guard to keep her safe. But that was only the beginning. The loss of Gus was not only a pain for Joe, it was also a great responsibility. Gus's daughter was now the only thing Joe had left to protect. So he would use every moment to keep her safe.
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