Monica, a young woman from California, narrates her story. She grew up with a sculptor mother and a lawyer father, but her parents' relationship was strained. After her mother left, Monica's father tried to get her to take a real job, but she was too focused on her art.
Monica started reading to escape her situation and became an avid reader. She found a babysitting job for twin 10-year-old girls, Emerald and Pearl, whose father, Robbie Jackson, is a wealthy and busy man. Monica moves in with the family, but the girls are misbehaved and resentful towards her.
As Monica tries to discipline the girls, she discovers that they have been through a traumatic experience, with their mother being in a coma. The girls' behavior improves slightly, but Monica starts to notice strange things about the house and Mr. Jackson's behavior.
One night, a fire breaks out in the basement, and Monica discovers that Emerald has been going down there to be with her mother's belongings. The fire is caused by a candle, and Emerald is rescued by the fire department. Mr. Jackson is furious and blames the girls for the fire, but Monica stands up to him, and he eventually fires her.
After the incident, Monica learns that the fire led to the discovery of a secret room in the house, where thousands of gold coins and illegal cash were found. Mr. Jackson is arrested, and the girls are sent to live with their aunt in London.
Monica's mother, who had been struggling with her sculpting career, finally finds success and becomes a better parent to Monica. Monica also receives an anonymous donation of a million dollars, which allows her to attend Stanford University.
The story concludes with Monica meeting the girls and their mother, Linda Jackson, who thanks her for saving her daughters and exposing her husband's cruelty. Linda offers Monica a job in her company after graduation, which Monica accepts.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. The narrator, Monica, is from California.
2. Monica's parents are divorced, and her father is a lawyer.
3. Monica's mother is a sculptor who left her family after an argument with her father.
4. Monica's father left her and her mother after the argument.
5. Monica's mother spent all their money on art supplies, leading to them becoming homeless.
6. Monica applied for and got a babysitting job for 10-year-old twin girls, Emerald and Pearl.
7. The job was at the home of Robbie Jackson, the girls' father.
8. Monica was paid $5,000 as a salary advance.
9. Monica discovered that the girls' mother was in a coma and that their father was often absent.
10. Monica tried to discipline the girls, but they were difficult to manage.
11. Monica discovered that the girls' mother had passed away, and their father was hiding something in his study.
12. Monica found out that the room on the top floor was locked and off-limits.
13. Monica followed Emerald to the basement, where she found her lighting candles and surrounded by her mother's belongings.
14. A fire broke out in the basement, caused by one of the candles.
15. The fire department arrived and rescued Emerald, but the house was damaged.
16. The cause of the fire was determined to be a candle in the basement.
17. Mr. Jackson was arrested and taken away after thousands of gold coins and illegal cash were discovered in the secret room.
18. The girls were sent to live with their aunt in London.
19. Monica's mother apologized for being a horrible parent and promised to do better.
20. Monica's mother worked hard and created sculptures, and Monica was able to attend Stanford University with the help of their combined savings and an anonymous donation.
21. The anonymous donation was revealed to be from Linda Jackson, Mr. Jackson's wife.
22. Monica met with Linda Jackson and the girls, and Linda offered Monica a job in her company after graduation.