On the day of her grad school entrance exam, 22-year-old Emma Miller is dragged away by her father, Richard Miller, who claims her mother is gravely ill. At the hospital, Emma discovers her mother, Helen, isn't sick but is giving birth. Driven by patriarchal tradition, Richard forces Emma to quit school to care for her new brother. Devastated, Emma runs away. Six years later, as Emma gets engaged to Oliver Wright, her parents show up with her brother, Toby Miller. They make unreasonable demands, even causing a pregnant Emma to miscarry. Ultimately, with her mother-in-law's support, Emma and Oliver heal their rift and find happiness.