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.

to catch me at my worst so the footage could be sliced to make me

Nicholas's favoritism but Elva and me. After Elva was out

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

to Anna, who said the same to

kissed my cheek and then the

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

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

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

off. Now that our initial excited greeting had worn off, she was

asked. "What

her bottom lip with her teeth. I recognized

something 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 if the checks got lost or if they were stolen, but then just...

Anna? I had to look into that as soon as

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

don't have our room?" Elva looked up at me

We weren't

I squeezed her shoulder to show her it would be

question I had was, "If the new roommate

with us, only a few necessities. We'd left the

though she assured

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

me to get angry, I kept my face carefully schooled in

up until this point fit so perfectly into

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

perked up