Fifteen years after the events of If There Be Thorns, Cathy and Chris arrive at the home of their son, Bart, which is oddly an exact replica of Foxworth Hall.

While celebrating Bart's twenty-fifth birthday, they meet a man named Joel; he is their uncle, Corrine's brother, who was long thought killed in an avalanche.

He has grown into a handsome young man, but is extremely jealous, power-hungry and resentful that Chris is the guardian of his money until his thirty-fifth birthday.

Jory, who is almost thirty, has been married to Melodie, his childhood sweetheart and ballet partner, for nine years.

Cathy tries to make the best out of the situation, but any happiness ends when Jory is left paraplegic in an accident.

Cathy tries to help Melodie reconnect with Jory but discovers later that she has turned to Bart for comfort and passion – the two have been having an affair.

When confronted about his hypocrisy a number of times throughout the story, Bart never attempts to justify his actions but instead responds with anger and resentment towards Cathy and Chris, always blaming them for his problems.

Cathy and Chris hire a beautiful nurse, Antonia "Toni" Winters, to help Jory recuperate.

Bart builds a chapel, in which he commands the family to attend Sunday sermons, presided over by Joel.

Cathy and Chris become disgusted by the “fire and brimstone" sermons and tell Bart that they will no longer attend.

After again catching Bart bringing the twins to the chapel, Cathy decides it is time for the family to leave.