Another Chance for the Luna Queen by Aurora Starling

Chapter 0195

Ella POV

I stepped out of the car, and the expression on my mother’s face hardened instantly. She looked angry–furious, even–and I couldn’t imagine what I’d done to deserve it. My mind raced as I walked toward her, trying to figure out the reason for her mood.

Then it struck me. My stomach dropped as I realized the truth: I had gone straight from my doctor’s appointment to the capital without saying a word to my parents.

“It’s nice to see that you’re still alive and well,” my mother said sarcastically, crossing her arms. “You didn’t check in. I suppose you had different priorities?”

Guilt hit me like a wave as I considered everything that had happened recently–kidnappings, druggings, endless danger. My mother must have been worried sick when I didn’t come home. Yet… she hadn’t called or texted me? “I’m sorry I forgot to check in,” I said uncertainly, grasping for an excuse. “Something must be wrong with my phone. None of your calls came through.”

“I didn’t try to call you,” she replied, and a slight smile tugged at her lips.

“What do you mean?” I asked, my confusion deepening.

“I called Alexander,” she explained, her tone oddly amused “Actually, he called me. He said he invited you to the capital after some unpleasant news had upset you. So, I wasn’t too worried when you didn’t call–I knew you were safe. But I do think we need to have a conversation about this.”

We went to the living room and took our usual seats, though I felt far from

to my surprise, she

confused,” I admitted. “Am

an adult, aren’t you?” she replied, a teasing lilt to her voice. “I just wanted to give you a hard time. It was

gaze as guilt weighed on

“Alexander explained what happened with the

conversation with my mother. For so long, she had seemed suspicious of him, and yet now she sounded… reassured? If he had gone out of his way to talk to her, perhaps it would go a long way toward

but smile slightly. “He’s winning

care of everything for me

that way,” she agreed. “But what I actually wanted to talk to you about is your living arrangements. “What?” I asked, caught off

in her chair. “It seems to me that you’re spending a lot

insist on doing so?”

A

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