Alisa is the eldest of three daughters, who has always been favored by their mother. Alisa's father was a scientist who died in an accident, and her mother raised the girls alone in Vienna. Alisa's mother constantly praises her and belittles her sisters, especially Candle, who feels unloved and resentful.
As the story unfolds, it becomes clear that Candle is plotting against Alisa and their mother. At a cousin's wedding, Alisa is accused of stealing the wedding rings, but it is later revealed that Candle was behind the theft and had locked Alisa and Vienna in a storage room.
Alisa participates in a national science contest and wins a $50,000 prize. However, when she returns home from a NASA junior space program, she discovers that her mother has been fired from her job. Alisa offers to use her prize money to support her family, but her mother refuses.
Upon Alisa's return, Candle reveals her true nature, and Alisa discovers that Candle has been manipulating their mother and plotting against her. Alisa also discovers that their house is actually in her name, as stated in her father's will. With the help of police officers, Alisa throws her family out of the house and sells it, starting a new life where she can finally be happy and free from her toxic family.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. The narrator, Alisa, is the eldest of three daughters.
2. Her father was a scientist who had an accident when Alisa was five years old.
3. Alisa's mother was left alone to raise her and her sisters in Vienna.
4. Alisa's mother favored her over her sisters, who she considered to be less intelligent.
5. Alisa's sister, Candle, was jealous of her and resented their mother's favoritism.
6. Alisa's mother was a strict disciplinarian who yelled at her sisters when they failed their subjects.
7. Alisa was a high achiever and received praise from her teachers.
8. Candle was punished by their mother for her behavior and was forced to write an apology to Alisa.
9. Alisa made lemonade for some guests, but it tasted like soap, and the guests spat it out.
10. Candle was suspected of sabotaging Alisa's lemonade.
11. Alisa's mother asked her to make lemonade again, and Candle was accused of spitting in Alisa's face.
12. Alisa and Vienna were close, and Alisa adored her.
13. Alisa saved her pay money to buy her mother a beautiful sweater for Christmas.
14. Candle was accused of burning the sweater.
15. Alisa's mother was furious with Candle and threatened to throw her out.
16. Alisa's family attended a cousin's wedding, where Alisa was the maid of honor.
17. The wedding rings went missing, and Alisa was accused of stealing them.
18. Alisa and Vienna were locked in a storage room, and they had to be rescued by police officers.
19. Alisa's mother had applied for a NASA junior space program, but Alisa was selected instead.
20. Alisa's mother was fired from her job.
21. Alisa participated in a national science contest and won a prize of $50,000.
22. Candle was jealous of Alisa's achievement and resented her mother's praise.
23. Alisa's mother was proud of her and planned to use the prize money for her expenses.
24. Alisa went to a three-month course and returned home with gifts for her family.
25. Alisa's prize money arrived, and she planned to deposit it in her bank.
26. Alisa's mother treated the family to an amazing dinner to celebrate her return.
27. A week later, police officers arrived at the house, and Alisa's mother was accused of trespassing.
28. The rightful owner of the house was revealed to be Mrs. Lisa, Alisa's sister.
29. Alisa's father had left the house to Lisa in his will.
30. Alisa's family was thrown out of the house, and Alisa sold the house and moved away.