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

hidden. No one needed to know of Nicholas's favoritism but Elva and me. After Elva was

at once, we all rushed toward each other and joined in a three-person hug. It was so nice to be

Anna, who said the same

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

removed our bags and set them unceremoniously

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

you!" I called to the driver as he returned to his driver's side. He nodded in acknowledgement, started the car,

I turned back to Anna, I noticed something off. Now that our initial excited greeting had worn

asked. "What

down as she worried her bottom lip with her teeth. I recognized that as

happen?"

with the two of you gone," she said. "The royals were paying a stipend for a while, for me to keep your room open. But I don't know

would they stop paying Anna? I had

Piper," Anna said. "But I had to get another roommate to make

room?" Elva

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

worried. I squeezed her shoulder to show her it would

new roommate is in our room,

taken everything with us, only a few necessities.

us into the apartment, though she assured us

stuff, it seemed, three cardboard boxes stacked against the wall in the

catch my reaction. Knowing they wanted me to get angry, I kept my

was upset. Not because Anna had to move forward with her life, but because my entire life up until

break a little, and looked at Anna. "Which one has Elva's toys?" I knew she would want

perked up right