The Luna Choosing Game

Chapter 5

Nicholas held Elva safe and secure in his arms as he stood to his full height. Elva buried her face into the corner of his neck and shoulder. He gently patted her back.

He glanced down at Elva, his gaze so tender that it made my heart clench.

“There, there,” he whispered. “You are safe now.”

“Oh my God,” said one of the other girls in the room, fanning herself. “Of course he’s good with children.”

“Someone pinch me,” said another. “I think I’m dreaming.”

Nicholas’s soft expression hardened as he glared out at the rest of the room. “Whose child is this? Why is she here?”

I started forward, but the girl in the pink dress spoke before I could reach him.

“An outsider sneaked in, unless she’s a maid.”

Some of the other girls snickered at my expense.

“She can’t be a participant,” another girl fake-whispered, loud enough for half-the room to hear. “I thought we had to be virgins, and she’s got a kid.”

I wanted to disappear into a corner. Whether virgin or not, I was nothing compared to the rest of these girls.

My clothes weren’t as nice as theirs, and my figure wasn’t like what it had been at the Academy. I’d lost much of my musculature. I was skinny from too many nights of skipped dinners.

Elva’s wellbeing had always come before my own.

Her sake was the only reason I continued forward rather than hide in embarrassment. I stopped only when I reached Nicholas.

He looked at me, and I looked at him.

I’d forgotten how gorgeous his eyes were, golden brown with flakes of green. When we’d dated, I had spent hours looking at them, trying to memorize that color, but it had seemed different each time.

Before, when I’d stared long enough, I could earn a bashful smile from him. Now, his face was totally devoid of emotion. He looked at me like I was a stranger.

Did he… not recognize me?

I had changed, sure, but not enough to become unrecognizable. Unless he truly had sealed me away in his past and moved on, never once looking back.

save face. I could be a great embarrassment to him, showing up here, years

Maybe he hated me.

the outsider.” The girl

even his voice was monotone. Another

still held Elva, so I followed him. He led me to an adjoining room, separated

Highness, please remember that per the selection rules, you aren’t to be alone with the contestants

look at the man, who

is an

course, sir.” The man

carried Elva into the room. I went inside after them. A servant stepped forward and closed

churned. I thought I might be sick. I had never imagined I’d meet

to see me

against his chest. She must have cried herself to sleep, eyes

and at once, his perfect façade cracked.

his hands stayed gentle on Elva, his arm looped more

dare you hide my child from

once, twice, but, no, I

Eloquently, I said, “Huh?”

She was three years old. That lined up with our breakup

so

in clumsy haste. I couldn’t remember where he was when

it seemed to slide

mistaken,” I said, hoping to give

Nicholas wanted children. He’d even said so on television. For me to hide a child from him would

That’s her name. But

moment, before the anger returned

wanted to say, he seemed to struggle to get it

between me and Elva.

that to Nicholas. Elva was mine in every way that mattered.

unspoken question

startled. What

immediately cut off the deep rumbling

onto one of the plush couches

at Mommy,” came Elva’s

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255