Devil's Prisoner of Love by Prefer

Ivy collapsed to the ground, her strength drained. She had never imagined that even her last lifeline, Mr. Raymond, would slip away because of Aurora.

Aurora. Aurora. Why was it always that damn Aurora? Ivy repeated the name in her mind over and over, consumed by hatred. Because of Aurora, her life had crumbled to this state. And yet, Aurora continued to cast her shadow over her.

Dragging her despondent self downstairs, she found Kyle already seated at the dining table.

The other women sat at a separate table, leaving Kyle alone at the head of his. He seemed like a monarch reigning over his kingdom, solitary and unapproachable, exuding cold indifference.

"Miss Montgomery, join us for breakfast," the butler said with his ever-present, polite smile.

Ivy shook her head. "No, thank you." There was no reason for her to stay any longer. Kyle had made it clear-he wouldn't help her.

"Then allow me to arrange a car for you. Transportation is quite inconvenient from here, and with today being the first day of the new year, there won't be any taxis around." The butler's meticulous attentiveness felt almost too kind.

"Thank you," Ivy replied. She didn't refuse the offer. Walking on foot from this place could take days.

Stepping out of the villa, she was met with falling snow, still steady and relentless. After spending the night in the warmth of the villa, the chill that hit her now felt piercing.

The snowflakes danced gently through the air, creating an undeniably beautiful scene. But Ivy's heart felt colder than the frost around her.

The car drove off slowly. The driver, who had given her a lift on a few occasions before, recognized her. "Miss Montgomery, where would you like to go?"

"I..." Ivy hesitated, unsure of where she should head to. She had barely slept the night before, her face still carrying yesterday's makeup, and her entire body felt grimy and uncomfortable.

Finally, she gave the driver her apartment address. She decided it was best to go home, take a shower, and rest. She felt like she was on the verge of collapse. Dragging her exhausted self into her apartment, Ivy was greeted by the sight of Genevieve sitting alone at the dining table, eating dumplings.

bored last night and made a ton of

to take a shower first," Ivy

don't take too long. I'll cook some for you right now-it won't take long," Genevieve said, oblivious to

Ivy quickly went to her room to shower. Emerging later in warm pajamas, she

grown up without ever trying dumplings made by

a touch of melancholy. "Back when we lived with the Montgomery family, we could have

important thing is that we're still alive and well. After everything that's happened, I've come to understand that freedom and health are worth more

I was young. Now, let's eat dumplings to celebrate the

there was no real blame in her words. To her, Zachary was still her child, a boy who

is eagerly waiting for you! Hearing Zachary's name brought a pang of sadness to Ivy's

child, with your grandmother chattering away as she taught me. So many years have passed, and now you're all grown up." During their luxurious days with the Montgomery family, Genevieve rarely thought about her own family. But now, in the quiet, those memories crept back, especially of her

why have you never told us about Grandma and Grandpa? All these years, we've

not that I didn't want to talk about them-there's a reason. Back when I was in school, I was always

accepted into the best high school in the city, your grandparents were overjoyed. But coming from

ones I grew up with, wearing simple clothes. They mocked me for

how good my grades were-they called me a 'country

city

as she listened to her

everything. But I

them to support my education. The allowance they gave me barely covered basic expenses. "So, I bought cheap clothes from market stalls. I was naturally good-looking, tall, and slender. A little effort in dressing up, and suddenly, I caught everyone's attention. "Boys lined up to talk to me, invite me out, and give me gifts. The girls, jealous, continued to mock

to accept it. Just because they were born into better

were better than me. I was determined to

weekends. That's when I met

married man, but he offered me a monthly