Devil's Prisoner of Love by Prefer

Frank was caught off guard by her sudden kiss. "What's wrong?" he asked.

"I'm just glad you came. If you didn't, I wouldn't have dared to go outside. I was so scared of running into those people again. If I hadn't sensed something was wrong that night, I might never have seen you again."

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have let you go home alone. I made you suffer. Let me take you home now, okay?"

"Okay." Ivy looked into Frank's weary eyes, noticing the exhaustion etched into his face. He must have been running around for days without proper rest. "But why don't you rest for the night before leaving?"

"That might be a good idea," Frank admitted. He was indeed tired. Finding this remote village had been no easy task. There were even places with the same name that had sent him on a wild goose chase.

The tension he had carried since losing track of Ivy finally melted away now that she was safe in front of him.

"You haven't been resting properly this whole time. Take it easy tonight. Are you hungry? I'll cook something for you," Ivy offered. Ever since her time on the ship, she had been forced to learn some basic cooking skills.

Frank was a little taken aback by her warmth. Ivy had never been cold toward him before, but she had never shown him such enthusiasm either.

"Let me do it. You hate dealing with the mess and the grease," Frank said with a small smile.

Ivy flushed with embarrassment. The first time she tried to clean a fish, she had been terrified, and Frank had witnessed it all. But now, off the ship and away from Justin's orders, she felt she could manage.

"You two just sit tight-I'll handle it," an elderly woman said with a warm smile as she entered the room.

Ivy introduced her. "This is Mrs. Hartwell. She's the one who took me in. If it weren't for her, I might still be wandering aimlessly."

ma'am," Frank

don't complain if it's not up

led Frank into the house. "You look exhausted. Why don't you get some rest? I'll

Frank admitted. He hadn't closed his eyes properly for over a day and a night. Even during the days spent searching for Ivy, his sleep had been broken and

hadn't liked it much. But

now. She seemed softer, more tender. Her entire demeanor had shifted, though he couldn't quite put his finger

head. "It wasn't that bad. It's

at Frank with a seriousness that made his heart skip a beat. "Frank, do

I say?" Frank asked, his pulse quickening under

to you. You said you loved me," Ivy said softly, a hint

how deeply Frank had rooted himself in her heart. Mio had been the perfect lover, but Frank gave her

the steady rhythm of daily life, simple but

I meant it. I'm a man

the look of someone who truly loved her, not the polished charm of someone

to be honest with you about who I am. If, after hearing my story, you

ahead," Frank said, unsure of what she was about to reveal

Mio, she had done everything in her power to hide her unsavory past from him, terrified that he would find her repulsive. She had wanted to remain

with Frank, she didn't want to lie. He was an honest man and didn't deserve to be

her story. "I'm not the person

slightly, confused.

was born into a wealthy family-the

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