Abandoned as a child, Melanie Forsythe seeks stability and belonging after her mom's boyfriend is left to raise her. Despite her raw deal, Melanie grows up to have a head on her shoulders and a strong bond with her stepdad. But her dream of having a family of her own is shattered when she suffers tragedy and betrayal. Forced to confront the kind of dysfunction that robbed her of a conventional upbringing, Melanie must choose between giving up on her dream of having a family or embracing a different form of motherhood.