In 1968, they move to New York City, where John works at a prominent Wall Street law firm and Charlotte becomes a nurse.
Charlotte goes to talk to a priest, who reminds her of her sacred vows, telling her to go home and love John, and look to the heavens for answers.
After John beats her in front of the children, Charlotte takes the boys to her neighbor Elaine's house to call her sitter Dotty.
The next day, John's lawyer asks for him to be granted the time to pursue reconciliation because he is remorseful.
John resigns his position at the SEC, in wake of negative attention his personal problems are causing.
[1] Richard F. Shepard of The New York Times said "an intelligently thought-out script acted with powerful but restrained emotion makes Shattered Dreams, a new made-for-television film about wife abuse a moving and believable drama".
[2] David Hiltbrand of People gave the film a "B", saying, "Wagner is good as the battered woman, but it is Nouri’s ferocious intensity that makes this drama so disturbing.