The Luna Choosing Game

Chapter 0615

As the car entered the neighborhoods that I recognized, I grew more and more tense. Nicholas squeezed me tighter, likely trying to offer what comfort that he could. But there was little comfort to be had.

I didn't mind the smaller place. I didn't even mind the harsher lifestyle.

But I didn't want to do any of it anymore, without Nicholas

I would, of course, if forced to. I would give my all to raise Elva to the best of my ability, no matter the environment. And now that the Oracle had cured her of her curse, we didn't necessarily need to be at the palace, since Elva didn't need such intense medical care.

I wanted Nicholas, Elva, and I to be a family. Full stop. It didn't matter where.

Finally, the car came to a stop in front of our old apartment building. A camera crew was already set up outside, waiting. There, standing among them, chatting them all up, stood Anna. She looked much the same as when I had last seen her.

God, I missed her so much. I didn't even realize how much until this moment.

Nicholas cupped my face and lightly kissed me on the lips. The windows were tinted, the cameras wouldn't be able to see.

"I will see you soon," he said. His eyes were creased with worry, his mouth heavy with sadness.

I kissed him again, offering comfort as he tried to do for me. "Soon," I promised.

Nicholas nodded and turned to Elva. He kissed the top of her head.

I sucked in a sturdy breath, then exited the car. The cameras were immediately on me. The crew pushed Anna back behind them, even though she was the one Elva and I were here to

see.

orders, they wanted to catch me at my worst so the footage could be sliced to make me look like a real loser. Dr worse, a

know of Nicholas's favoritism but Elva and me. After Elva was

toward each other and joined in a three-person

you," I said to Anna, who said

kissed my cheek and then the top of Elva's head. "It hasn't

and set them unceremoniously on the curb. If we lived in

were now left to our own devices. This, especially, I did not mind. I was no closer to being accustomed to

he returned to his driver's side. He

to Anna, I noticed something off. Now that our initial excited greeting had worn off, she was having trouble looking me in the

asked. "What is

bottom lip with her

something happen?"

of you gone," she said. "The royals were paying a stipend for a while, for me to keep your room open. But

stop paying Anna? I had to look

had to get another roommate to make ends meet. They took

room?" Elva looked up at

be okay," I told her. To Anna, I said, "It's okay, Anna. We weren't here. You did what you needed to,

I squeezed her shoulder to show

roommate is in our room, where did you put

taken everything with us, only a few necessities. We'd

apartment, though she assured us that the key

stacked against the wall

cameras came close to catch my reaction. Knowing they wanted me to get angry, I kept my face carefully schooled

my entire life up until this point fit so perfectly into three cardboard boxes.

me that wanted to break a little, and looked at Anna. "Which one has Elva's toys?" I knew she

up right