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

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,

each other and joined in a three-person

to Anna, who said the

and then the top of Elva's head.

bags and set them unceremoniously

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

returned to his driver's side. He nodded in

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

I asked.

lip with her teeth.

something happen?" I

while, for me to keep your room open.

would they stop paying Anna?

roommate to make

our room?" Elva looked up at me for

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

squeezed her shoulder to show her it would

had was, "If the new roommate is in our room, where did you put our

hadn't taken everything with us, only a few necessities. We'd left the rest

though she assured us that the

cardboard boxes stacked against the wall in

me to get angry, I kept my face carefully schooled

to move forward with her life, but because my entire life up until

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

up right