Pregnant Lucy Shepherd discovered her boyfriend Ethan Pierce was the heir of the Pierce Family and had cancer. The Pierces offered to treat him if he broke up with Lucy, but Ethan refused. Lucy, overhearing this, left quietly and had a car accident. She became mentally incapacitated and gave birth to their daughter, Annie. Believing Lucy was dead, Ethan grieved. Seven years later, Lucy's condition worsened, and young Annie begged for money to treat her. Ethan, unaware Annie was his daughter, hurt her repeatedly. Only at the last moment did he realize Lucy was still alive, and he began to make amends.