Cinderella’s Glass Collar -

When the prince’s invitation arrived—a royal ball, three nights hence—her stepsisters shrieked with delight. Cinderella said nothing. She simply finished scrubbing the hearth, the glass collar cool and patient against her pulse.

So Cinderella raised her hands—rough, red, honest hands—and wrapped them around her own throat. Around the glass. She did not hesitate. She squeezed. cinderella’s glass collar

Cinderella took a breath so deep her ribs ached. Then she let her godmother dress her in starlight and silence. When the prince’s invitation arrived—a royal ball, three

The night of the ball, her fairy godmother appeared in a swirl of lavender light. She waved her wand over the mice, the pumpkin, the torn dress. But when she reached for Cinderella’s throat, her magic faltered. her magic faltered.