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.

catch me at my worst so the footage

So I committed to keep my best forward at all times. With my head raised high, I walked around the car and opened the door enough for Elva to 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, we gently ushered through the camera

in a three-person hug. It was so nice to be

Anna, who said the same to

and then the top of Elva's head. "It

set them unceremoniously on the curb. If

see to our 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 having someone

his driver's side. He nodded in acknowledgement, started the

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

I asked. "What

well.." She looked down as she worried her bottom lip with her teeth.

something happen?" I

me to keep your room open. But I don't know if the checks

they stop paying Anna? I had to

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

don't have our room?" Elva

said, "It's okay, Anna. We weren't here. You did what you needed to, to survive. Of course,

shoulder to show

the new roommate is in

hadn't taken everything with us, only a

though she assured us that

stacked against the wall in

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

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

pushing down the part of me that wanted to break a little, and looked at Anna. "Which

perked up right