Fate drew them together and only fate could part them!
Heiress Martha Ivers (Barbara Stanwyck) and Walter ONeill (Kirk Douglas in his film debut) are hiding a dark secret that has been haunting them since childhood. However, despite their past, things are going very well for them and are highly prominent and respected citizens in town. But could their position of wealth and be under threat from an unexpected source, the return of old friend Sam Masterson (Van Heflin)? The danger is that he knows too much about their past, can they trust him, should they further involve him in their web of deceit and corruption or should he be added to the list? After all, they have nothing to lose
