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.

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

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

toward each other and joined in a three-person hug. It was so

you," I said to Anna, who said the same to

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

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

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

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

Anna, I noticed something off. Now that our initial excited

asked.

looked down as she worried her bottom lip with her teeth.

something happen?" I

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

stop paying Anna? I had to look into that as

get another roommate to

our room?" Elva looked up at me

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

her shoulder to show

I had was, "If the new roommate is in our room, where

only a few necessities.

she assured

seemed, three cardboard boxes stacked against the wall in the living room behind

Knowing they wanted me to get angry, I kept my face carefully

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

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

perked up