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.

at my worst so the footage could

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

joined in a three-person hug. It was

Anna, who said the same to

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

set them unceremoniously on the curb. If we lived

bags. As it was, we were now left to our own devices. This, especially,

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

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

asked. "What

as she worried her bottom lip with her

happen?" I

paying a stipend for a while, for me to keep your room open.

my chest. Why would they stop paying Anna? I had to look

"But I had to get another roommate to make ends meet.

room?" Elva looked up

going 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

her shoulder to show her it would

roommate is in our room, where

only a few necessities.

us into the apartment, though she assured

it seemed, three cardboard boxes stacked against the wall

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

Anna had to move forward with her life, but because my entire life up until this point fit

hard, pushing down the part of me that wanted to break a little, and looked at Anna. "Which one has Elva's

up right