Evelyn stared down into the velvet box, her breath catching in her throat. The glowing white pearls rested softly on the dark silk, sparkling under the warm studio lights.

She reached out with a trembling hand, her slender fingers gently lifting the heavy vintage necklace from the box. The smooth, cool pearls felt familiar against her skin. It was the exact same piece of jewelry her late mother had worn in every single old family photograph.

Her evil stepmother had stolen this necklace years ago and sold it off to pay her own dirty gambling debts. Seeing it back in her hands felt like receiving a warm, loving hug from...