I stared at the necklace within my hand, eyes wide.

My memories of Grandmother were fuzzy. As a child, I had encountered her several times a year; at my birthday parties, on Thanksgivings, and on Christmas. But ever since my abduction... I had seen her perhaps two times. Once during the horrific "welcome home party" Father had had the gall to force upon me, and once last Christmas. I had exchanged no more than a few words with her on either occasion. Yet now... this. The necklace was quite pretty, of course, but the money... I had never known my grandmother was so wealthy. She - and, now, I - was a hundred times richer than Father. With this money, I could be free of him forever. 

Yet the joy I had expected to accompany that thought never arrived. Instead, I was left with one question: Why? Why would Grandmother leave this to me? I had never really known her, not as a person. Could this truly just be a matter of tradition? It was too much... too good to be true.

A knock on the door, then seven seconds later, another two in quick succession. That was the signal. I stood, gently setting the necklace and envelope on my bedside table. It was only natural that my bodyguards wanted to check that I was safe after I had received a visit. I pulled the door open a crack, then further when I was met by David's usual impassive stare. 

"Everything all right, Miss Mistley?" he asked, eyes darting over my shoulder, as if he expected an attacker to emerge from my very room.

"Yes," I said, careful not to let my emotions seep into my voice. "He was just delivering some jewelry I ordered. Everything is fine." The large man nodded and walked away without another word. I shut the door, fastening its multiple locks, and returned to my bed. 

On a whim, I picked up the necklace, examining it for a moment before slipping it on. I crept over to the mirror. Despite everything, from the trauma I had been through to the fact that I was still in my pajamas, I was quite pretty. I knew that, of course. And this necklace only complemented my beauty. I allowed myself a false smile for a moment. If I wore contacts to make my eyes appear green, the necklace would be truly stunning on me. Next time I was forced to appear at some stupid function, I would have to try that out.

I turned back to the letter that had come in the package, eyes scanning it over again. Could I really be that rich? Did that make me the wealthiest person in the world? This was all some prank, it had to be.

But the necklace was real enough. Whatever this situation was, I would make the best of it. Perhaps, if I was lucky, some of my wishes would actually come true.