Everyone knows the story of Cinderella and her evil stepmother, who tormented the poor future princess with her daughters. But nobody ever thought about why Lady Tremaine was so cruel, and why Anastasia and Drizella were злoby and jealous. What brought a noble society lady out into the wilderness of a far-off, lost kingdom? What was it like for her to be away from home, from familiar luxury, and from a host of servants? And why did Cinderella’s father decide to marry such a cold and harsh woman? Perhaps she wasn’t always heartless—maybe she became that way because someone broke her heart?