The story revolves around the life of Cassie, a girl who was left at an orphanage as a baby and was raised by nuns. She creates various theories about her past and family but never gets adopted due to a janitor named Anna's interference. Cassie befriends Matteo, another orphan, but they eventually get separated when Matteo gets adopted. Years later, Cassie discovers that Anna has been hiding her true identity and keeping her captive for financial gain. Cassie runs away and seeks help from Matteo, who has become rich and pretentious. However, Matteo eventually helps Cassie, and together they uncover the truth about her past and Anna's deceit. With the police's help, Anna is arrested, and Cassie is finally able to claim her rightful inheritance and start a new life. Matteo also reflects on his own behavior and apologizes to Cassie, and they reconcile their friendship.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. The narrator was brought up in an orphanage by nuns.
2. The nuns found the narrator on their doorstep one night wrapped in a soft blanket and wearing a gold pendant shaped like the sun.
3. The nuns were never able to find out anything about the narrator's family.
4. The narrator had various theories about their past, including being a princess or an alien.
5. The narrator had a special bond with Anna, one of the janitors at the orphanage.
6. When the narrator was 10, a kid named Brett flung oatmeal in their face and pulled at their necklace, breaking the chain.
7. Anna helped the narrator by putting the pendant on a thread so they could still wear it.
8. The narrator tried to get adopted but was unsuccessful.
9. When the narrator was 15, a new boy named Matteo arrived at the orphanage and they became best friends.
10. Matteo was adopted by a young couple, but the narrator was not.
11. The narrator accused Anna of being behind their rejection, citing a conversation between Anna and the couple's lawyer.
12. The narrator ran away from the orphanage and contacted Matteo for help.
13. Matteo took the narrator to his mansion and helped them hire a private investigator.
14. The narrator discovered a wooden box in Anna's room containing stacks of cash, a picture of Anna with the narrator's mother, and the narrator's birth certificate.
15. The narrator confronted Anna, who revealed that the narrator's parents were millionaires who died in a boating accident.
16. Anna had been hired by the narrator's uncle to keep them at the orphanage and prevent them from discovering their true identity.
17. Matteo helped the narrator by calling the police and tracking down Anna.
18. Anna was arrested and taken away.
19. The narrator forgave Matteo for his previous behavior and they reconciled.
20. The narrator is set to inherit a fortune when they turn 18.