Katy, a young girl from New York, grew up living with her aunt after being told her parents died in an accident. However, she soon discovered that her father was alive and had been searching for her. He arrived at her aunt's house, and Katy learned that her aunt had been hiding letters and plane tickets from her.
Katy moved to New York with her father, who was married to a woman named Maria. Initially, Katy struggled to connect with Maria, but they eventually bonded over shopping and going out. Maria even organized a birthday party for Katy, which was the best day of her life.
However, things took a turn when Katy's classmate Veronica, who was mean and bullied others, started causing trouble. Katy stood up to Veronica, and they got into a fight, resulting in Veronica being expelled from school.
Meanwhile, Maria's true nature was revealed when Veronica's mother accused her of telling Veronica about Katy's scar. However, it was discovered that Veronica's mother had actually been the one to tell Veronica about the scar. Maria stood up for Katy, and Veronica's mother was kicked out of the house.
In the end, Katy and Maria's relationship was strengthened, and Maria confessed that she loved Katy as her own daughter.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. The narrator, Katy, lives with her aunt and cousin Lucy.
2. Katy's parents had an accident when she was a baby.
3. Katy's aunt makes her do chores and doesn't show her love.
4. A new neighbor visits and is shocked by Katy's appearance.
5. The neighbor compliments Katy's red hair and dimples.
6. Katy's aunt tells her to stop smiling and calls her an idiot.
7. Katy finds a letter with her name on it, but her aunt throws it in the fireplace.
8. A postman arrives with an express delivery for Katy.
9. Katy's aunt attacks the postman and tries to take the letter.
10. Katy's father arrives with two bodyguards and explains that he is her father.
11. Katy's father and mother were divorced before she was born.
12. Katy's mother told her father not to contact her.
13. Katy's father recently found out about her mother's accident and located Katy.
14. Katy moves in with her father and meets her stepmother, Maria.
15. Maria is initially cold towards Katy but later warms up to her.
16. Katy starts at a new school and meets a girl named Veronica.
17. Veronica is mean to other kids and Katy tries to stand up for them.
18. Katy and Veronica get into a fight and are expelled from school.
19. Katy's father is disappointed but Maria defends her.
20. Maria and Katy start to bond and go on outings together.
21. Maria helps Katy pick out a dress for a school dance.
22. Veronica sabotages Katy's dress and exposes her scar at the dance.
23. Katy confronts Maria, who denies telling Veronica about the scar.
24. The principal expels Veronica from school for bullying Katy.
25. Maria defends Katy against Veronica's mother.
26. Maria hits Veronica's mother and tells her to leave the house.
27. Maria apologizes to Katy for not being honest with her earlier.
28. Maria tells Katy that she loves her like a daughter.