Dottie Hawthorn is a popular schoolteacher whose marriage is on the brink of collapse. Her husband, Billy, who drinks excessively and uses drugs, seems intent on intimidating her and causing her pain. When she falls pregnant, however, Dottie feels this might be the one chance they have to save their ailing relationship. But this is the beginning of the end for her and Billy, as events begin to take a disastrous and violent turn. For Dottie, the only solution is to end the relationship and move on; but Billy has other ideas, and he'll do anything to stop her leaving him, even if it means murder.