When Avery Hart was six months pregnant, her mother passed away with a dying wish for her to get a divorce. While grieving, her husband Ethan Cross and mother-in-law Martha Cross showed their true colors. They bossed her around, forced her to cook, and even boiled the last dumplings her mother ever made. Avery Hart demanded a divorce. Ethan Cross refused, and Martha Cross struck her. To pay off a loan shark debt, the family forced Avery Hart to transfer her house. She feigned agreement, gathered recorded evidence, and sued Martha Cross's family. Ethan Cross lost his job and tried to exact revenge on Avery Hart, but was ultimately arrested and jailed.