The night of the event, I could barely contain my nerves as Charlotte helped me into my golden dress. It turned out beautifully, each layer complimenting the next. Pastel yellow, then warm creamy orange, and finally a shimmering golden that sparkled when I shifted my skirts.
Charlotte nodded, pleased. But then she said, “Don’t forget the gloves.”
The gloves were the same shimmery gold. They matched the dress and the ribbons threaded through my hair, holding it up and like a crown around the top of my head.
I slipped the gloves onto my hands. I was trembling. Charlotte didn’t comment on it, she simply helped me pull the lengthy gloves up my biceps.
Then Charlotte reached for Veronica’s box. She brought it closer to me, then opened the lid. I swallowed hard as I lifted the cuff from the
