Soft music filled the air, and laughter floated from one corner of the banquet hall to another. Everything looked perfect—the shining lights, the polished floors, the tables filled with fine food and flowers. Maya stood near the side of the ballroom, trying to catch her breath after a dance with Elias. Her cheeks were slightly flushed, her lips curved into a shy smile. She looked beautiful, calm, and confident.

Guests had been complimenting her all evening. Many admired the gown she wore—elegant, graceful, unlike anything they had seen before. But even more attention was drawn to the gown Elias’s grandmother wore. The rich color, the smooth fit, and the intricate...