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.

clothes are freezing me," Ivy asked, feeling her body tremble from the

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

before, this vessel was nothing more than a floating hovel. She resigned herself to

have a basin in your room? I can clean myself

Frank nodded. "Alright."

room, which was slightly better than the storage closet. It had a small private bathroom. "Here's the basin and hot water. I'll go get some

you, Uncle," Ivy

corrected, feeling awkward about

speaking up and saving me earlier," Ivy said sincerely. She remembered clearly that if it weren't for him, the boss might not have saved her at

You're a young woman; it wasn't easy for you,"

quickly understood. Other than Mrs. Woolf, there was now a second woman on the ship-herself. Ivy knew exactly what men like these could do, and she had no intention

their leering laughter still

that mattered for now. Aurora was also on this ship,

aren't many young women onboard, so you'll have to make do with these," Frank said, returning with an armful of

that fate had at least allowed her

you've already brought that woman into your room? Moving fast, aren't you?" A burly

people on board even stranger. Frank had

hot water. She was freezing after being in

to bed? Frank, we haven't had a woman on this ship in ages. The boss already has one in his room. This one's free game,