Marina, a girl from a fishing village, moves to the city after her village is bought by a billionaire. She faces challenges adjusting to city life but finds friendship in Tom, a classmate. Her mother falls ill, and Marina struggles to support her family. She briefly dates a wealthy boy named Lance who helps with her mother's medical expenses but later breaks up with her. Marina marries a rich man for security but ends up feeling empty and divorces him. Returning home, she reconnects with Tom, now a successful entomologist, and they fall in love. Tom proposes and offers her a house by the sea, fulfilling her childhood dream. They realize that some dreams do come true as they plan to live by the sea together.
Here are the key facts from the text:
1. The narrator, Marina, was born in a small fishing village.
2. Marina's parents didn't have much money, but she had a happy childhood.
3. Marina loved going out to sea with her father and listening to her mother's stories.
4. Marina had twin brothers who were born when she was 9 years old.
5. When Marina was 13, a billionaire bought the village and turned it into a vacation spot.
6. Marina's family had to move to the city, where her father got a job as a carpenter.
7. Marina enrolled in a public school and struggled to adjust to the new environment.
8. Marina made friends with a boy named Tom, who was obsessed with bugs.
9. Marina's mother became ill and had to be hospitalized.
10. Marina cut off her long hair and sold it to raise money for her mother's treatment.
11. Tom helped Marina care for her mother and brothers.
12. Marina met a rich boy named Lance, who took her on a fancy date and sent her flowers and chocolates.
13. Marina started dating Lance, but he broke up with her after his parents cut him off financially.
14. Marina went back to her family's home and felt desperate to escape her situation.
15. Tom called Marina and asked for her help with a scientific scholarship gala.
16. Marina met a rich business magnate at the gala and eventually married him.
17. Marina's husband, William, had an 8-year-old daughter named Allison who lived with him.
18. Marina became close to Allison, but eventually, Allison's mother came to take her away.
19. Marina felt broken and missed her old life, so she asked William for a divorce.
20. Marina returned to her family's home and started taking community college courses and working part-time.
21. Marina ran into Tom again and they reconnected.
22. Tom proposed to Marina, and she accepted.
23. Tom gave Marina a house by the sea as a gift.