The narrator, Ashley, shares her story of living with her wealthy mother and two brothers in Atlanta. Ashley's mother, a successful businesswoman, is emotionally distant and critical, blaming Ashley for her father's departure and treating her as "bad luck." Ashley struggles to please her mother, but her clumsiness and accidents lead to more criticism.
Ashley finds solace in her nanny, Ani, who is kind and supportive. However, when Ashley gets into trouble at a party, her mother fires Ani, leading Ashley to leave home and live with Ani's sister, Micaela.
At her new school, Ashley starts to find her footing, making friends and participating in a speech contest, where she wins first prize. However, her mother's reaction is not what she expected, and Ashley realizes that no matter how hard she tries, she will never be good enough for her mother.
Years later, Ashley's mother reaches out, needing her help to save the family business. Ashley agrees, and with her help, they secure a merger with a big company. However, Ashley soon discovers that her mother had been manipulating her all along, pretending to be sick to get her to help.
In the end, Ashley confronts her mother and walks away, having finally found the confidence to stand up for herself and move on from her toxic childhood.
1. The narrator, Ashley, lived with her mother and two brothers in Atlanta.
2. Ashley's mother was a famous businesswoman from a wealthy family.
3. Ashley's mother considered herself royalty and expected her children to behave accordingly.
4. Ashley had a superpower, which was being extremely clumsy.
5. Ashley's brothers used to bet on how many times she would trip or drop something.
6. Ashley's mother was often angry with her due to her clumsiness.
7. Ashley's nanny, Annie, was kind and caring towards her.
8. Annie told Ashley that her mother loved her, but was just busy with work.
9. Ashley discovered that her mother was resentful towards her because her father had left her mother for a maid who worked in their house.
10. Ashley's mother fired Annie after Ashley accidentally ruined her party.
11. Ashley left her mother's house and went to live with Annie's sister, Micaela.
12. Ashley started at a new school and tried to fit in.
13. Ashley participated in a speech contest and won.
14. Ashley's mother was not proud of her winning the contest, but rather angry that the school had used her name to advertise.
15. Ashley realized that she would never be able to make her mother happy.
16. Ashley went to college and studied business.
17. Ashley's mother's company was failing, and she wanted Ashley to come and see her.
18. Ashley visited her mother, who apologized for treating her badly.
19. Ashley decided to help her mother save the company.
20. Ashley worked hard and managed to secure a merger with a big company.
21. Ashley's mother threw a party to celebrate the merger.
22. Ashley's brother and sister showed up at the party and revealed that their mother had been faking her illness to get Ashley to help her.
23. Ashley knew about her mother's plan all along and had decided to help her anyway.
24. Ashley walked away from her mother with newfound confidence.