Devil's Prisoner of Love by Prefer

As expected, Justin took Aurora off the ship. Ivy, standing on the deck, caught sight of them and exclaimed, "Why does she get to leave? I want to leave too!"

In recent days, Mrs. Woolf and Justin had been carefully keeping Ivy and Aurora apart, fearing that Ivy might harm her. Ivy's life on the ship had begun to resemble that of Cinderella in a dark fairy tale-endless laundry and cleaning. She felt like she was slowly turning into a servant.

"She got permission from the boss," Frank said, noticing the envy and bitterness on Ivy's face. He could tell she was struggling with the unfairness of it all.

"Then I want to leave too. Can you talk to the boss for me?" Ivy pleaded.

"Maybe next time. The boss already left," Frank replied, fully aware that Ivy wanted to escape. Living this grueling life on the ship every day-of course, she would be desperate to leave.

Ivy's gaze fixated on Aurora, filled with resentment. God, could you be any more unfair?

Aurora, however, treated Ivy like a stranger. Given all Ivy had done to her in the past, Aurora knew she only needed to say the word, and Justin would throw Ivy overboard to feed the sharks. The fact that she hadn't done so was mercy enough. Forgiving Ivy or helping her was something Aurora couldn't bring herself to do. Everyone had to face the consequences of their actions.

When Aurora stepped onto land, she felt a sense of relief wash over her. After so many days of drifting on the sea, the solid ground beneath her feet brought a rare sense of stability.

"You haven't had anything to eat yet. Let's find a place to eat," Justin suggested, his tone filled with concern.

Though Justin had essentially kept her captive by his side, Aurora didn't resent him. She believed he was just temporarily blinded by obsession and would come to his senses eventually.

Fate hadn't been too unkind to her, Aurora thought. Back in her darkest days in New York, she had met Asher. He had been her light, staying by her side and helping her through those hard times. He had cared for her with the same attentiveness Justin was showing now. Thinking of Asher made her heart ache a little. He must be worried sick about her, just like Julian.

"Are you thinking of him again?" Justin asked, breaking her train of thought.

honestly. "I was thinking of a friend of mine. If he knew I had

Justin's heart clenched at

my life during its darkest chapter, like a ray of sunlight. Without him, I wouldn't be

isn't he your fiancé?" Justin

only meant to be friends. Love just doesn't happen. We spent three years together, working hard side by side, but I never fell in love with him. To me, he's family. And family isn't the same as

Justin. You're a good man, but I will never love you. No matter how long you keep me by

darkened. He couldn't help but feel that Aurora was

in love with me if you don't even try?" Justin asked, frustration evident

"Justin, I know exactly who I carry in my heart. He waited for me for so many years. I couldn't betray him. If I were to have

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don't mind if you have his

be fair to

seemed to circle back to the same point. Mrs. Woolf quickly interjected, trying to change the subject. "Alright, alright, didn't we say we were going to eat? Aurora, what would you like to

take her time showing Justin that it was simply impossible for

over there. Shall we go there?" Aurora suggested. It had been a long time since she'd had a proper

most of their lives at sea,

Aurora quickly added, "If you don't like it, we can

there," Justin said, taking her hand and leading her toward the restaurant. Aurora instinctively stiffened at the contact, uncomfortable with physical closeness to men. But Justin had

restaurant was modest compared to the upscale establishments Aurora was used to, but it was one of the nicer places in

fit in naturally. But Justin and Mrs. Woolf felt

was the world Aurora belonged