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."

you, ma'am,"

some noodles. Just don't complain

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

closed his eyes properly for over a day and a night. Even during the days

beard. When she had first seen it on the ship, she hadn't liked it much. But now, it felt like a reassuring presence, a symbol

through so much," Frank said, gazing at her. There was something different about Ivy now. She seemed softer, more tender. Her entire demeanor had shifted,

head. "It wasn't that bad. It's just karma, really-what I deserved." "What do

that made his heart skip a beat. "Frank, do you still

Frank asked, his pulse quickening under

want me anymore, I could always come to you. You said you loved me," Ivy said softly, a hint of shyness

how deeply Frank had rooted himself in her heart. Mio had

illusion, a fleeting dream, while Frank was the steady rhythm of daily life, simple but indispensable. She hadn't realized

it. I'm a man of my word. If you want to

was the look of someone who truly loved her, not

go any further, I need to be honest with you about who I am. If, after hearing my story, you still love me, we can be together. But if you don't-if

she was about to reveal but sensing that this was a rare moment

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 perfect in his eyes, even going

was an honest man and

not the person you think I am. In fact,

frowned slightly, confused.

family-the Aurora

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