The narrator, Heba, recounts her life story, from being a wealthy and lonely child to facing bullying and self-doubt due to her exceptional height. She eventually finds friendship and love, but also discovers a shocking family secret: her father has another family. Heba confronts her half-sister, Melissa, and her boyfriend, Darren, who had stolen her story and submitted it to a writing contest. After a dramatic confrontation, Heba forgives Melissa but decides to distance herself. She goes on to pursue a successful writing career and eventually finds love and happiness with a man named Omar, despite their height difference. The story concludes with Heba's wedding, her published novels, and her hopes for her children to love reading.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. The narrator's name is Heba, and she lives in Canada.
2. Heba's parents were wealthy and had everything except a child before she was born.
3. Heba's name means "a gift from God" in Arabic.
4. Heba was an only child, and her parents were her best friends.
5. Heba was homeschooled because she was bullied by other kids.
6. Heba's father was often away on business trips.
7. When Heba was 10, she discovered a card and a present from her father that made her question their relationship.
8. Heba's parents got into a fight, and her father left the family and never came back.
9. Heba started attending school when she was 11 and was bullied for being tall.
10. Heba moved to a new school in 9th grade and met a girl named Melissa who became her friend.
11. Heba started dating a boy named Darren, but he stole her story and submitted it to a writing contest under Melissa's name.
12. Heba confronted Darren and Melissa, and they were suspended from school.
13. Heba discovered that her father had another family and that Melissa was her half-sister.
14. Heba forgave Melissa and tried to make amends, but Melissa refused and left the school.
15. Heba attended university and got into a writing program.
16. After graduating, Heba got a job as an editor at a publishing company.
17. Heba's mother tried to set her up on dates to find a husband.
18. Heba met a man named Omar, and they got married after a few months of dating.
19. Heba and Omar have three kids together.
20. Heba has published two best-selling novels.