The narrator, Julia, recounts her life story. She was an orphan who found a magazine photo of a "perfect" couple when she was five and believed they were her parents. One day, a couple matching the photo's description arrived at the orphanage, and Julia was adopted. She was initially happy, but things changed when her parents had a biological daughter, Field, who seemed to be the favorite. As Field grew up, Julia began to notice strange and disturbing behavior from her sister, including speaking in a childish tone, manipulating those around her, and even spiking Julia's soup with hot water.
Julia's parents were oblivious to Field's behavior and instead blamed Julia for being jealous. Julia felt like an outsider in her own family and eventually found solace in a relationship with a boy named Lucas. However, Field's behavior continued to escalate, and Julia discovered that Field had been spying on her using a hidden camera in a teddy bear.
Feeling trapped and unloved, Julia left her family's mansion and returned to the orphanage. She started teaching children there and eventually reconnected with Lucas. Lucas and his aunt offered to adopt Julia, but she declined, feeling she didn't need a parent. Julia and Lucas got married, and she gave birth to a baby boy, finally feeling truly loved and valued.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. The narrator, Julia, was living in an orphanage as a child.
2. Julia found a magazine in the trash and saw a photo of a couple that she imagined to be her parents.
3. Julia refused to go with several couples who came to adopt her until she met a couple who looked like the ones in the photo.
4. The couple adopted Julia and raised her as their own.
5. Julia was a talented artist and was encouraged by her adoptive parents to pursue her passion.
6. Julia's parents had a baby girl named Field, who was spoiled and treated differently than Julia.
7. Julia felt like her parents favored Field over her and began to feel unloved.
8. Julia was bullied and belittled by Field, who was described as a "psychopath".
9. Julia met a boy named Lucas, who became her boyfriend, and she began to distance herself from her family.
10. Julia discovered that Field had been spying on her using a teddy bear with a hidden camera.
11. Julia left her family's house and went back to the orphanage where she grew up.
12. Julia started teaching children at the orphanage and felt happier than ever.
13. Lucas and his aunt offered to adopt Julia, but she declined, saying she could take care of herself.
14. Julia and Lucas got married, and she invited the guys from the orphanage to their wedding.
15. Julia gave birth to a baby boy and felt a sense of joy and purpose.