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.

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

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 crew until we were neared to Anna. Elva tugged on my hand, rushing us

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

said to Anna, who

my cheek and then the top of

bags and set them unceremoniously on the curb. If

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 waiting on me hand

the driver as he returned to his driver's

our initial excited greeting had worn off, she was having trouble looking me in

I asked. "What

lip with her teeth. I recognized that as her embarrassed

something happen?"

me to keep your room open. But I don't know if the checks got lost or if they were stolen, but

chest. Why would they stop paying Anna? I had

had to get another roommate to make ends meet.

room?" Elva

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

worried. I squeezed her shoulder to show her it would be

roommate is in our room, where did you put our

a few necessities. We'd

she

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

wanted me to get

because my entire life up until

down the part of me that wanted to break a little, and looked at

up