On her wedding day, Serena is framed by her adoptive sister Elena. Her fiancé Ethan sends her to the illegal club "Black Velvet", where she endures three‑month inhumane torture. After returning, she suffers severe PTSD, yet her family and Ethan initially think she is faking misery. As the truth comes out, they learn Elena is the mastermind, along with horrific abuses Serena suffered. Though Elena gets punished, Serena flees New York for California with her childhood friend Liam, leaving Ethan consumed by regret, searching for her.