The only family Ruby Landry has ever known are her loving guardian Grandmere Catherine, a Cajun spiritual healer, and her drunken grandpere, Jack. Grateful for what she has, Ruby's life is filled with hope and promise, especially when her attraction to handsome Paul Tate blossoms into a wonderful love affair.

But when Paul's wealthy parents forbid him to associate with a "lowly" Landry girl from the bayou and her grandmere dies, Ruby harnesses her pain into her dream of becoming a great painter. Stumbling upon a faded photograph of her father leads to revelations of a shocking blackmail scheme. Left to find answers on her own, Ruby hunts for her father leads to his massive mansion in New Orleans. Subjected to his world of lies, torment, and madness, Ruby clings to her memories of Paul, knowing that only true love might save her now.