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.

they wanted to catch me at my worst so the

hop out, while keeping Nicholas hidden. No one needed to know of Nicholas's favoritism but Elva and me. After Elva was out of the car, I closed the door. Then, holding her hand,

at once, we all rushed toward each other and joined in a three-person

said to Anna, who said the

so much," Anna said. She kissed my cheek and then the top of Elva's head. "It hasn't been the

driver removed our bags and set them unceremoniously on the curb. If we

devices. This, especially, I did not mind. I was no closer to being accustomed to having someone

called to the driver as he returned to his driver's side. He nodded in acknowledgement, started

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

I asked. "What is

worried her bottom lip with

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

"But I had to get another roommate to

have our room?" Elva

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

her shoulder to show her it

new roommate is in our room, where did you

hadn't taken everything with us, only a few necessities. We'd left

the apartment, though she assured

against the wall in

cameras came close to catch my reaction. Knowing they wanted me

forward with her life, but because my entire life up until this point fit so perfectly into three cardboard boxes. That was it. Three boxes, the entirety

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

perked up right