: 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.
: 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. Once_upon_a_time_1x04
: 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 Once_upon_a_time_1x04