Tony and Carol Sabella are both young, bright and attractive with promising futures and what seems to family and friends, a marriage made in heaven. After they settle in a new home in Atlanta and plan to start a family, the tensions of Tony's new job begin to erupt into bouts of irrational jealousy and violence. Like almost all women caught in such a situation, Carol blames herself for causing the abuse and tries to hide what is happening from her friends. She quits school and becomes increasingly reclusive. As the abuse gets steadily worse, Carol perseveres, even when she looks death in the face, until finally she finds a safe house.