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.

my worst so the footage could be sliced to make me

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 closer. Anna let

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

Anna, who

cheek and then the top of Elva's head. "It hasn't been the same without

and set them unceremoniously on

now left to our own devices. This, especially, I

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

turned back to Anna, I noticed something off. Now that our initial

I asked.

worried her bottom lip with her teeth. I recognized that as her embarrassed

happen?"

royals were paying a stipend for a while, for me

Why would they stop paying Anna? I had to look into

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

don't have our room?" Elva looked up at me

I said, "It's okay, Anna. We weren't here. You did what you

I squeezed her shoulder to show her it

was, "If the new roommate is in our

us, only a few necessities.

the apartment, though she

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

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

had to move forward with her life, but because my entire life up until this point fit so perfectly into three cardboard boxes.

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

up right