I hailed a cab to Westhill Residence.
Five years. I'd assumed the single-family villa in Fort Valor Military District had changed hands long ago. Instead, it stood before me, ablaze with light and decorated like a fairy-tale castle.
The lawn was packed with guests, the air thick with expensive perfume and glittering jewelry.
Stella stood at the center of it all, wearing a diamond tiara and a custom white couture gown. She clung to my uncle's arm.
They stood before a six-tier cake, surrounded by adoring onlookers.
Stella clasped her hands together, her voice dripping with sugar. "My wish is to be the only princess in Uncle Sebastian's heart. Forever and ever."
Uncle Sebastian smiled and retrieved a square blue velvet box from his uniform pocket.
The lid snapped open.
My blood turned to ice.
Inside sat a pair of jade bangles.
The James family heirlooms, passed down for generations. Tradition dictated they were reserved strictly for daughters-in-law of the house.
I remembered my eighteenth birthday. Uncle Sebastian had placed those very bangles in my palm. Savvy, whether you accept me or not, you will always be my most precious princess.