Devil's Prisoner of Love by Prefer

Aurora slept soundly, but Ivy wasn't as fortunate. The impulsive comment she made last night had angered Justin.

Having offended Justin, Ivy couldn't expect to be treated kindly on this ship. Everyone ignored her, except for Frank, the only decent man onboard, who took pity on her and gave her a room.

The room, however, was nothing more than a storage closet. It lacked air conditioning and contained only an old, shabby sofa. Thinking about how they were both people pulled from the sea, yet treated so differently, Ivy felt bitterness rising in her heart.

"Miss, it's cold at night. Let me get you a blanket," Frank offered.

"Excuse me, do you have a phone here? I want to call my family," Ivy asked. She had nothing with her, not even a way to contact her family. She had narrowly escaped death, and the first person she wanted to reach was Mio Walsh. She longed to hear his voice.

"Miss, I'm sorry, but there's no signal for mobile phones at sea. The ship has two special landline phones, one in the control room and the other with the boss," Frank explained.

"I'm worried my family won't be able to find me and will start panicking. Could you please speak to your boss for me? I just need one call to let them know I'm okay."

"I'm afraid that won't be possible. It's late now; you should rest. One more thing-be cautious around the people on this ship," Frank warned before leaving.

Frank, despite being nicknamed the "old good guy," wasn't actually old. He was only in his thirties, but years on the ship with little care for his appearance-unkempt clothes, scruffy beard, and sun-weathered skin-made him look older than his age.

Ivy, observing his scruffy face and stubbly beard, had instinctively called him "uncle." "Thank you," she replied.

Frank's warning replayed in Ivy's head as she realized the nature of the people on the ship. Their casual attire, vulgar language, and the way they had watched her struggle in the water without offering help were clear signs. They had stood there, entertained by her desperation.

use your bathroom? My wet clothes are freezing me," Ivy asked, feeling her body tremble from

boss has a private bath in his room. The rest of us share a communal bathroom, which might not be convenient for a woman like you. There's only one other woman on this

cruise ship she had been on before, this vessel was nothing more than a floating hovel. She resigned herself to endure it until

your room? I can clean myself with some hot water instead. I can't

Frank nodded. "Alright."

private bathroom. "Here's the basin and hot water. I'll go get

Uncle," Ivy

corrected, feeling awkward

Ivy said sincerely. She remembered clearly that if it

nothing. You're a young woman; it wasn't easy for you," Frank said, scratching the

than Mrs. Woolf, there was now a second woman on the ship-herself. Ivy knew exactly

with scars she would carry for life. The stench of the vagrants and their leering laughter still haunted her dreams. Though she had buried those

herself. She was alive, and that was all that mattered for now. Aurora

There aren't many young women onboard, so you'll have to make do with these," Frank

fate had at least allowed

woman into your room? Moving fast, aren't you?" A burly voice called from outside the

strange, and the people on board even stranger.

hot water. She was freezing after being in the

take her to bed? Frank, we haven't had a woman on this ship in ages. The