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: In the modern world, Cinderella is Ashley Boyd , a 19-year-old single mother-to-be who feels trapped and powerless.

: Mr. Gold (the modern Rumplestiltskin) has brokered a deal to buy Ashley’s baby for Mayor Regina Mills. Desperate, Ashley steals the contract from Gold's shop and attempts to flee town.

: Emma tells Ashley that people will always try to tell her who she is, but she has the power to change her own story. Once_upon_a_time_1x04

: On her wedding night, Rumplestiltskin arrives to claim his prize. Although Ella and Prince Thomas attempt to trap him with magic, the "price of magic" causes Thomas to vanish, leaving Ella pregnant and alone. Storybrooke: Breaking the Deal

: Cinderella (Ella) signs a contract to attend the royal ball and escape her life of servitude. In exchange, Rumplestiltskin demands her firstborn child —a debt she unknowingly agrees to without reading the fine print. : In the modern world, Cinderella is Ashley

: Unlike the traditional fairy tale, Rumplestiltskin kills the Fairy Godmother to take her wand and intervenes in Cinderella's life himself.

In the Once Upon a Time episode , the story reimagines the classic tale of Cinderella through a dark, high-stakes deal with Rumplestiltskin. The Enchanted Forest: A Twisted Contract Desperate, Ashley steals the contract from Gold's shop

: Emma Swan finds Ashley and empathizes with her struggle, encouraging her to "punch back" and change her own life. To save Ashley's baby, Emma strikes her own deal with Mr. Gold: he lets Ashley keep the child, but Emma now owes Gold a favor . Key Themes & Character Insights